/ 


!  T.IBRAPJY 

S'hcotoflifal  f  cminavy, 

BV  4909  .B5  1854         ' 
Bickersteth,  Edward  Henry, 

1825-1906. 
Water  from  the  well-spring 


>»•  Jiihii  M.  Krebs  Hoiiation. 


WATER  FROM  THE  WELL-SPRING, 


SABBATH  HOURS  OF  AFFLICTED  BELIEVERS: 


Complete  Course  of  i?ttorninfl  antr  3Ebcniiiij  i^cTiitatlc us 


FOR    EVERY    SUNDAY   IN    THE    YEAR, 


EDWARD  HENRY  BICKERSTETH,  M.A., 

RECTOR   OF    HINTON    MARTELL,    DORSET. 


'Therefore  with  joy  »hall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation. 

—Isaiah,  xii.  3. 


NEW  YORK: 
ROBERT    CARTER    &    BROTHERS, 

No.    285    BROADWAY. 

1854. 


\ 


This  little  work  was  first  suggested  by  the  seclu- 
sion of  a  beloved  sister  in  the  chamber  of  suffering. 
Shut  out  for  many  years  from  the  public  and  social 
means  of  grace,  and  tried  in  a  furnace  of  peculiar 
affliction,  she  needed,  as  our  now  sainted  father  said 
of  her,  the  richest  cordials  of  Scripture  ;  and  it  has 
been  a  brother's  privilege  from  week  to  week  to 
send  her  some  few  lines  for  her  Sabbath  medita- 
tions. These  having  often  proved  (blessed  be 
God!)  words  in  season  to  her,  a  selection  from 
them  has  been  made,  and  adapted  to  more  general 
circulation  ;*  and  now,  with  additional  musings  on 

*  Since  these  pages  were  first  sent  to  the  press,  this  be- 
loved sister  has  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus.  The  last  lines  she 
traced  in  the  author's  Bible,  a  few  days  before  her  death, 
touchingly  express  her  experience — "  Whom  the  Lord 
loveth  He  chasteneth." 


VI  PKEFACE. 

many  kindred  passages  of  the  word,  the  present 
little  volume  has  been  formed,  which  may  the  God 
of  all  consolation  bless  to  some  sympathizing  suf- 
ferer. A  few  original  hymns  and  poenas  have  been 
added  at  the  close. 

Perhaps  any  apology  for  the.  shortness  and  un- 
connectedness  of  these  portions  is  unnecessary,  as 
those  who  are  versed  in  the  school  of  sickness  know 
well  that  it  is  only  a  few  thoughts  expressed  in  a 
few  words  which  can  be  borne  there.  But  they 
have  been  written,  and  are  now  sent  forth,  with 
many  prayers  that  they  may  be  for  the  glory  of 
Jesus  and  the  solace  of  his  afflicted  ones. 

HiNTON  Mauteli.  Rectory, 
July,  1852. 


0  n  t  nt  1 5 


Sunday 
I.  Ifornlng- 
Evening.  — 
11.  Morning- 
JEvening.  — 
IIL  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
IV,  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
V.  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
VL  Morning- 
.  Evening.  - 
"VII.  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
VIIL  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
IX.  Morning- 
Evening.  - 
X.  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
XL  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 
XII.  Morning.- 
Evening.  - 


-"  The  Beloved  One  Sick" 
-The  Physician's  Delay      . 
-They  Serve  who  Wait 
-"  They  that  Fear  Him"    . 
-The  Midnight  Storm 
-The  Morning  Deliverance 
-Fulness  of  Joy 
-Occupy  with  Affliction   . 
-Dwelling  in  Tents 
-Mansions. 

-Christianity's  Telescope 
-Christianity's  Microscope 
-Step  by  step 
-The  Right  Road      . 
-The  Profitable  Friendship 
-Sinners  Welcomed  . 
-The  Poor  in  Spirit 
-They  that  Mourn     . 
-The  Passing  Cloud 
-The  Lasting  Sunshine     . 
-Sown  in  Weakness     . 
-Raised  in  Power      . 
-O  ye  of  Little  Faith 
-They  have  believed 


PAQB 
11 
13 
16 

17 
19 
21 
23 
25 
27 
29 
31 
33 
35 
36 
39 
40 
43 
45 
48 
61 
53 
55 
57 
69 


yiii  CONTENTS. 


PAGB 


Sunday 
XIIL  3/ornin^.— Peter's  Fall  .        .  .        .     62 

Evening.  —Peter's  Recovery       .  64 

XIV.  Morning.— The.  Knocking  Saviour  .        .     67 

Evening.  — The  Hidden  Saint      ...         69 

XV.  Morning.— No  Evil  Tidings    .         .        .        .11 
Evening.  — There  is  an  End        ...         72 

XVI.  Morning.— Much  Unbelief,  more  Faith  .        .     74 
Evening.  — Two  Children  in  diverse  Homes        76 

XVII.  Morning.— The  Forgiven  Man        .        .        .79 

^i;mm^. —The  Perfect  Work  .         .         .         81 

XVm.  3forning.— The  Gospel  Report       .         .        .     83 

Evening.  — The  Gospel  Report  ...        85 

XIX  Morni7ig.— The  Arm  of  the  Lord   .         .        .     87 

Evening.  — The  Leaning  Pilgrim         .         .         89 

XX.  Morjiing.— The  Cheerful  Side  of  things         .     92 

Evening.  — Look  backward  and  Sing  .         94 

XXL  Morning. — Look  around  you  and  Sing  .         .     97 

Evening.  — Look  forward  and  Sing     .         .         99 

XXn.  3/«rnm^.— Jewels 102 

Evening.  — Jewels       .         .         .         .         .104 

XXIIL  Morning. — The  Jewels  counted      .         .         .107 

Evening.  — The  Jewels  claimed.  .         .       109 

XXIV.  Morning.— The  Wheat HI 

Evening. — The  Wheat  gathered         .         .       113 

XXV.  Morning — The  Believer's  Intercourse    .         .115 

Evening. — The  Believer's  Assurance         .         117 

XX VL  Morning.— The  Pruning  Knife        .        .        .120 

Evening.  — Much  Fruit      .         .         .         .         122 

XXVIL  i/brnin^r.— What  Grace  has  done  .         .125 

Evening.  — What  Grace  can  do  .        .127 

XXVIII.  Morning.— The  Leading  Apart      .        .  129 

Evening. — Goodly  Entertainment      .         .       131 


CONTENTS. 

IX 

Sunday 

PAOB 

XXIX.  Moming.- 

-Friendly  Tempest 

.  133 

Evening.  - 

—The  Desired  Haven 

135 

XXX.  Morning.- 

— Mercy,  not  Sacrifice  . 

137 

Evening.  - 

—The  Uuderstaudiug  Friend     . 

139 

XXXI.  Morning.- 

-The  Quiet  Conquerors 

.  141 

Evening.  - 

-The  Rebuked  Foe  . 

143 

XXXII.  Morning.- 

—Look  and  Live  . 

.  145 

Evening.  - 

—Run,  Looking 

147 

XXXIII.  Morning.- 

-A  Clearer  Sight 

.  149 

Eveuing.  - 

-Perfect  Sight 

151 

XXXIV.  Morning.- 

-What,  Lord  ?      .         .        . 

.  154 

Evening.  - 

—Read  the  Sign-posts 

155 

XXXV.  Morning.- 

—The  Mysterious  "  Forward  " 

.  159 

Evening.  - 

-No  Water       .... 

161 

XXXVI  Morning.- 

-Amalek's    Onset    upon   Weary 

Israel      ...         * 

.  163 

Eveniyig.  - 

—The  Circuitous  Route     . 

165 

XXXVII.  Morning.- 

-The  Sword 

.  167 

Evening.  - 

-The  Palm 

169 

XXXVIIL  Morning.- 

-The  Hidden  Ones       . 

.  171 

Evening.  - 

—Secret  Life    .... 

173 

XXXIX.  Morning.- 

-The  Angels'  Spectacle 

.  176 

Evening. 

—The  Viewless  Camp 

178 

XL.  Morning.- 

—The  Almighty  Keeper 

.  181 

Evening.  - 

—The  Sympathizing  SufiFerer    . 

183 

XLI.  Morning.- 

—Collective  Support     . 

.  185 

Evening.  - 

—Individual  Sympathy     . 

187 

XLII,  Morning.- 

—Altogether  Lovely     . 

189 

Evening.  — Jesu?,  the  Beloved 

191 

XLIII.  Morning. 

—The  Perplexing  Alternative 

.  194 

Evening.  - 

-The  Choice  Refused 

197 

XTJV.  Morning. 

—Home  Sickness  . 

.  199 

Evening.  - 

—Home  Welcome 

202 

CONTENTS. 


Sunday 

XLV.  Morning.- 

Evening.  ■ 

XL VI.  Morning.- 

Evening.  ■ 

XLVII.  Mornifig.- 

Evening.  ■ 

XLVIII.  Morning.- 

Evening.  - 

XLIX.  Mornifig.- 

Evening.  ■ 

L.  Morning.- 

Evening.  - 

LL  Morning. - 

Evening.  - 

LII.  Morning.- 

Evening.  - 


-Communion  in  the  Furnace 
-Suspend  your  Judgment 
-The  Fettered  Racer   . 
-The  Prize  Won.     . 
-Simplicity  of  Principle 
-Multiplicity  of  Details 
—Handiwork 
-Trade  with  Pence   . 
-Work  Rewarded 
-Unequal  Comparisons 
-If  Need  be 
-Trustfulness  . 
-The  "  But  Nots"  of  Scripture 
-Past,  Present,  Future     . 
-The  Victory  of  Faith 
-The  Victory  of  Fact 


PAGE 

204 
206 
209 
211 
214 
216 
218 
221 
223 
225 
227 
229 
232 
234 
236 
238 


HYMNS   AND   POEMS. 


"  Consider  Him" .  240 

"Jesus  Christ  the  same" 241 

"  Arise  Ye" .  242 

"  Thou  art  my  Rock" 244 

On  the  Death  of  R.  B.        .         .         .                 .  .  245 

'•  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you" 246 

The  Transfiguration 24*7 

The  Fear  of  Death  removed           ....  249 


lirst  ll0rning. 

THE   BELOVED    ONE    SICZ- 

"Therefore  his  sisters  sent  unto  him,  saying,  Lord,  he- 
hold,  he  whom  thou  lovest  is  sick." — John,  xi.  3. 

Faith  and  sisterly  solicitude  are  beautifully 
blended  in  this  message.  They  do  not  send 
and  say,  "  Lord,  we  thought  thou  hadst  loved 
our  brother,  but,  alas,  he  is  sick."  His  sick- 
ness never  seems  to  have  shaken  for  a  moment 
their  confidence  in  the  love  of  Jesus.  They 
simply  sent  to  acquaint  their  Lord,  feeling  as- 
sured, that  if  he  once  knew  their  anxiety,  he 
would  do  all  that  was  requisite,  and  loving, 
and  best.  Nor  had  they  miscalculated  the 
heart  of  Jesus.  He  loved  them  intensely, 
though  for  awhile  he  tried  them.  It  was  true 
to  the  very  letter,  "he  whom  thou  lovest  is 
sick.'''      Christian   mourner,  this  is   for  you. 


12  THE  BELOVED  ONE   SICK. 

Notwithstanding  sickness,  suffering,  solitude, 
weakness,  weariness,  want,  you  are  one  tliat 
Jesus  loves.  This  must  be  "  the  wine  that 
maketh  glad  the  heart."*  Believe  me,  it  never 
loses  its  restorative  virtue.  A  believer  in  the 
full  glow  of  health  and  work  can  scarcely  know 
Avhat  unwearying  consolation  you  find  in  this 
thought,  "  Jesus  loves  me,  though  he  chastens, 
and  while  he  chastens."  One  who  is  called  to 
active  service,  and  a  continual  succession  of 
duties  requires  the  strong  meat,  and  varied 
diet  appropriate  to  his  labor.  But  you  are 
constrained  to  "  commune  with  jowc  own  heart 
upon  your  bed,  and  be  still  ;"t  you  are  fed 
from  week  to  week  with  the  same  unvarying 
"  bread  of  affliction,  and  water  of  affliction," 
and  you  find  it  a  rich  reviving  cordial  for  every 
hour  of  faintness  to  remember  "  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  correcteth;  even  as  a  father 
the  son  in  whom  he  delighteth."  i 

*  Psa.  civ.  15.         f  Pisa.  iv.  4.         |  Prov.  iii.  12. 


THE    physician's   DELAY.  13 


EVENING. 

THE    PHYSICIAN'S    DELAY. 

"Now  Jesus  loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and  Lazarus. 
When  he  llad  heard  therefore  that  he  was  sick,  he 
abode  two  days  still  in  the  same  place  where  he 
w-as." — John,  si.  5,  6. 

There  is  something  very  remarkable  in  that 
word  "  therefore."  I  feel  sure  that  if  you  had 
given  human  reason  the  fifth  verse,  "'jS^w 
Jesus  loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and  La- 
zarus," and  asked  for  the  legitunate  inference, 
the  sixth  verse  would  have  continued  thus, 
*'  "When  he  had  heard,  therefore,  that  he  was 
sick,  he  hasted  and  went  at  once  to  Bethany." 
But  as  the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth, 
so  are  his  ways  higher  than  our  ways,  and  his 
thoughts  than  our  thoughts,* — and  he  "  abode 
two  days  still  in  the  same  place  where  he  was." 

We  can  easily  picture  the  intense  anxiety 
of  the  sisters — Will  our  messenger  reach  the 
Lord  in  time  ?  will  our  urgent  necessity  ap- 

*  Isaiah,  Iv.  9. 
2 


14  THE  physician's  DELAY. 

pear?  will  lie  come  at  once?  And  when 
sufficient  time  had  elapsed  for  his  arrival,  what 
painful  and  fruitless  conjectures  as  to  his  ab- 
sence I  Jesus  was  not  unmindfal  of  their  deep 
distress.  Witness  the  serenity  with  which, 
when  his  hour  was  come,  he  fearlessly  returned 
to  Judea,  where  ''  the  Jews  had  sought  to  stone 
him  ;"* — ^witness  how,  when  he  saw  Mary 
weeping,  and  her  friends  weeping  with  her,  he 
groaned  in  the  spirit,  and  was  troubled  f — wit- 
ness how  he  wept  and  groaned  again,  though 
he  knew  that  then  one  brief  hour  would  turn 
their  mourning  into  joy  ; — still,  with  the  keen- 
est appreciation  of  all  they  were  going  through, 
because  he  loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and 
Lazarus,  "  he  abode  two  days  still  in  the  same 
place  where  he  was." 

The  reason  is  no  mystery  to  us  now — for 
we  know  the  sequel.  Through  his  delay  his 
mightiest  miracle  was  wrought.  Suffering 
saint,  you  are  passing  through  the  furnace. 
You  know  not  what  Jesus  is  doing  now  ;   you 

*  John,  xi.  7-10.  f  John,  xi.  33. 


THE  physician's   DELAY.  15 

see  not  the  bright  sequel.  Take  comfort  from 
the  family  of  Bethany.  For  you,  too,  eternal 
blessings  are  connected  with  protracted  afflic- 
tion. 


THEY    SEEVE     WHO    WAIT. 

"And  therefore  -will  the  Lord  -wait,  that  he  may  be  gra- 
cious unto  you.  .  .  Blessed  are  all  they  that 
•wait  for  him  " — Isaiah,    xxx.  18. 

"  They  also  serve  wLo  only  stand  and  wait." 
How  fully  is  Milton  here  borne  out  by  Scrip- 
ture, wherein  waiting  is  so  frequently  com- 
mended, as  one  of  the  highest  and  most  diffi- 
cult of  duties.  The  captain  of  an  army  knows 
full  well  that  he  has  given  the  most  trying 
order,  when  he  has  commanded  his  troops  to 
endure  and  not  to  return  the  enemy's  fire. 
This  is  the  highest  proof  of  discipline.  And 
we  have  the  blessed  assurance,  not  merely  that 
the  general  conduct  of  our  "corjDs"  shall  be 
observed,  but  that  each  momentary  and  individ- 
ual act  is  under  the  immediate  eye  of  our  great 
Captain  ;  for  ''  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon 


THEY   THAT   FEAE   HIM.  17 

the  righteous,  and  his  ears  are  open  unto  their 
cry."*  Their  cry,  not  their  pra3^er  here,  in  set 
words ;  but  the  wishful  moan,  the  faintest  de- 
pendent look,  he  knows,  and  appreciates,  and 
answers. 


EVENING. 
THEY  THAT  FEAR  HIM. 

"  Like  as  a  fattier  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  piti- 
eth  them  that  fear  him." — Psa    ciii.  13. 

A  GKACious  title,  "  them  that  fear  him  ;"  a 
child's  fear,  a  description  of  the  Lord's  people 
which  is  pecuharly  tender  and  consoling.  For, 
when  we  cannot  feel  the  glow  of  love,  and  the 
conscious  strength  of  faith,  still  we  may  have 
such  a  child-like  fear  of  offending  and  grieving 
God,  that  we  would,  his  grace  enabling  us,  go 
to  the  stake  rather  than  do  what  we  knew  to 
be  contrary  to  his  will.  When  temptations 
may  cloud  our  soul,  and  almost  entangle  our 

*  Psa.  xxxiv.  15. 

2* 


18  THEY  THAT  FEAR  HIM. 

reason,  so  that,  like  Christian  in  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  we  scarcely  know  whether 
the  suggestions  which  trouble  us  be  the  voice  of 
Satan,  or  of  our  own  corrupt  hearts  ;  still  it  is 
this  fundamental  grace  of  the  fear  of  God  which 
makes  these  thoughts  so  distressing,  so  hateful, 
so  wretched.  A  soul  "  in  its  prosperity"  may 
feast  on  more  intimate  and  endearing  titles  of 
God's  chosen  ones ;  but  a  tried  and  tempted 
believer  will  draw  exquisite  solace  from  this, 
"  them  that  fear  the  Lord."  Of  such  God  says, 
''Like  as  a  father,  so  do  I  pity  them." 


f  hirJr   p^tning, 

THE    MIDNIGHT    STORM. 

"  And  straight-way  Jesus  constrained  his  disciples  to 
get  into  a  ship,  and  go  "before  hira  unto  the  other 
side." — Matt.  xiv.  22. 

How  mysterious,  and  yet  how  gracious  an 
introduction  to  the  account  of  the  storm  that 
follows  !  Did  not  Jesus  know  that  the  tempest 
was  coming,  that  the  wind  would  be  contrary, 
that  the  waves  would  rise,  and  that  his  disci- 
ples would  be  weary  and  dismayed  ?  Doubt- 
less he  knew,  and  yet  he  constrained  them  to 
go  before  him.  O  afflicted  believer,  "  tossed 
with  tempest,  and  not  comforted,"*  to  whose 
lips  the  question  of  Gideon  often  rises,  "  K  the 
Lord  be  with  us,  why  then  is  all  this  befallen 
us  ?"t  do  not  think,  because  you  are  in  the 
path  of  trial,  and  suffering,  and  conflict,  that 
*Isa.liv.lI.  f  Judges,  vi.  18. 


20  THE   MIDNIGHT   STORM. 

yoTi  are  not  in  the  path  of  duty  and  of  blessing. 
The  disciples  were  following  the  express  wishes 
of  their  Master,  when  all  these  things  came 
upon  them. 

But,  to  explain  this  apparently  mysterious 
compulsion,  look  at  the  close  of  the  narrative  : 
"  They  that  were  in  the  ship  came  and  wor- 
shipped him,  saying,  Of  a  truth  thou  art  the 
Son  of  God."  If  you  were  to  ask  any  believer 
what  blessing  he  would  choose  above  every 
other,  being  conscious  that  earthly  good  can- 
not be  desired  unreservedly,  he  would  esteem 
none  equal  to  an  increase  of  grace,  or  of  that 
which  is  the  spring  and  root  of  other  graces — • 
of  faith.  So  here,  then,  the  disciples  attained 
the  highest  possible  good.  Jesus  might  not 
have  suffered  them  to  embark  on  the  eve  of 
that  tempestuous  night ;  but  he  knew  that  no 
real  harm  would  befall  them,  and  that  they 
would  gain  a  mighty  accession  to  their  weak 
and  wavering  confidence.  Yet  his  heart  sym- 
pathized with  all  their  distress.  Doubtless  he 
pleaded  for  them  on  that  lonely  mountain-top, 


THE   MORNING  DELIVERANCE.  21 

as  now  for  us  on  the  riglit  hand  of  God ;  and 
at  the  very  moment,  which  his  infinite  love 
and  wisdom  selected  as  the  best,  he  appeared 
on  their  behalf.  What  he  did  in  that  con- 
strained embarkation,  they  knew  not,  when 
struggling  with  the  waves ;  bat  they  knew  on 
the  morrow,  and  will  thank  him  for  it  through- 
out eternity. 


EVENING. 
THE  MORNING  DELIVERANCE. 

"  In    the   fourth  watch    of  the    night   Jesus  went  unto 
them,  walking  on  the  sea." — Matt,  xiv.  25. 

This  narrative  of  the  storm  is  full  of  com- 
fort for  the  suffering  saint.  Consider  a  few 
things  that  distinguish  the  time  and  manner 
of  his  advent  to  them,  and  see  if  there  be  not 
hope  for  you  in  your  affliction.  He  came,  (1), 
after  long  toiling,  in  the  fourth  or  last  watch  ; 
(2),  in  a  season  of  darkness  and  perplexity — ^it 


22  THE   MOENING  DELIVERANCE. 

was  still  night ;  (3),  on  the  very  scene  of  their 
distress,  on  the  sea ;  (4),  in  a  way  they  least 
expected  it;  so  that  at  first  they  mistrusted 
their  deliverer.  (5.)  He  came  unto  them — ^not 
near  them,  and  passed  by — ^but,  like  the  good 
Samaritan,  came  where  they  were ;  (6),  and 
with  what  a  message ! — "Be  of  good  cheer  ;  it 
is  I;  be  not  afraid."  Does  language  afford 
more  exquisite  consolation  ?  (7.)  It  was  Jesus 
who  came.  What  a  helper!  How  gentle, 
how  mighty,  how  glorious,  how  beloved  1  The 
sea  was  calm,  the  ship  was  steady,  they  happy 
in  his  love  and  in  his  company,  and  soon  at 
rest  upon  the  desired  shore. 


FULNESS  OF  JOY. 

*  These  things  have  I  spoken  -unto  you,  that  my  joy- 
might  remain  in  you,  and  that  your  joy  might  be 
full."— John,  xv.  11. 

This  verse  is  significant  as  containing  the 
ultimate  object  of  all  God's  dealings  with  his 
children.  I  apprehend,  from  the  Greek,  that 
the  meaning  of  the  first  clause  is  plainly,  "  that 
my  joy  in  you  might  remain  or  be  perpetual." 
The  word  translated  "  remain  "  is  the  same  as 
that  rendered  "abide"  in  all  the  previous 
verses  of  the  chapter.  The  two  great  objects, 
then,  in  God's  purposes  of  grace  are,  first, 
Christ's  joy  in  his  people,  and  then,  the  fulfil- 
ment of  their  joy  in  him.  How  sweet  and 
blessed  a  result  from  all  the  discipline  of  this 
life  !  Whether  lie  instruct  his  children  by  his 
word,  as  then  he  taught  his  disciples,  or  by 


24  FULNESS  OF  JOY. 

suffering,  or  by  mercies,  or  by  ministers  ;  how- 
ever lie  speaks  to  them,  tliis  is  the  consumma- 
tion lie  seeks  and  surely  will  attain — ^tlie  seeing 
of  "  the  travail  of  his  soul  "*  in  them,  and  their 
full  participation  in  his  eternal  bhss.  Unless 
they  were  taught,  and  disciphned,  and  chas- 
tened, and  renewed  into  his  image  by  his 
Spirit,  he  could  not  "  rest  in  his  love  "f  on 
them,  nor  would  their  joy  he  fulfilled  (nlriqwdr^. 
The  world  seeks  happiness  in  its  way,  wins  the 
pleasures  of  sin  for  a  moment,  and  plunges  into 
an  eternity  of  remorse.  The  flock  of  Jesus, 
led  by  him  through  the  thorny  wilderness, 
reach  at  length,  joy^  perfect  joy,  before  the 
throne :  a  joy  that  can  never  weary,  for  it  is 
the  reflection  of  the  infinite  bliss  of  Jesus  upon 
the  stainless  mirror  of  their  regenerate  souls. 
Jesus'  joy  in  them  abides  per23etual ;  their  joy 
consequently,  by  a  blessed  necessity,  has  a  per- 
petual fulfilment  in  him ;  for  they  abide  in  his 
love,  even  as  he  abides  in  his  Fathers  love. 

*  Isa,  liii.  11.  t  Zeph.  iii.  17. 


OCCUPY  WITH  AFFLICTION,  25 

EVENING. 
OCCUPY  WITH  AFFLICTION. 

"  Occupy  til]  T  ccme." — Luee,  six.  13, 

Many  tliat  arc  last  shall  be  first.  Perhaps, 
suffering  believer,  you  have  the  most  prosper 
ous  trade  of  any  of  us ;  and  are  laying  out 
your  talents  so  as  to  produce  the  most  lucra- 
tive interest.  How  much  of  Jesus'  work,  when 
on  earth,  consisted  in  suffering!  And  you,  too, 
occupj^  even  while  you  suffer.  "  Occupy  till 
I  come."  O  what  a  world  of  wonder,  what  an 
eternity  of  rapture,  lies  behind  that  little  word 
"  till !"  It  is  the  narrow  wicket  to  a  paradise 
of  glory.  When  once  that  "till"  is  fulfilled, 
no  more  conflict,  no  more  coldness,  no  more 
suffering,  no  more  sin ;  but  peace,  and  commu- 
nion, and  joy,  and  such  a  sea  of  love  as  would 
overflood  our  poor  earthly  hearts.  You  can- 
not run  away  from  your  suffering  or  your  sor- 
row, but  you  can  trade  with  them  as  talents,  and 


26  OCCUPY  WITH  AFFLICTION'. 

think  of  the  reckoning  daj^,  when  to  those  who 
are  reconciled  to  God  in  Christ  Jesns,  their 
light  momentary  affliction  works  ont  for  them 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory.* 

*  2  Cor.  iy.  17. 


lifter  P0nttng, 

DWELLING  IN  TENTS. 

'*  Strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth." — Heb.  xi.  13. 

Strangers,  and  yet  the  human  heart  is 
made  for  home :  it  expands  under  home  love, 
like  flowers  under  genial  warmth.  Pilgrims ; 
and  yet  who  longs  not  for  rest,  for  something 
of  permanence  and  continuance?  Strangers 
and  pilgrims  on  the  earth  ;  surely  this  has  an 
aspect  of  mournful  vagrancy  at  first.  Yet,  be- 
liever, view  it  through  the  perspective  glass  of 
faith,  and  it  will  be  lit  up  with  the  sunlight  of 
our  everlasting  home.  Imagine  for  a  moment 
that  it  had  been  written,  "  We  are  settlers  and 
permanent  habitants  here  on  earth."  "  What !" 
you  exclaim,  "with  these  hearts  of  ours,  so 
prone  to  grieve  the  Saviour  whom  w^e  love ; 


28  DWELLING  nsr  tents. 

witli  these  conflicts  ever  gathering  around  nSy 
in  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow — ^permanent 
occupants  of  this  ?  No :  who  prays  not,  Ob 
that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove  ;  for  then  would 
I  hasten  my  escape  from  the  windy  storm  and 
tempest  ?"* 

Though  we  can  thus  argue  the  superiority 
of  our  pilgi'im  character  most  unanswerably, 
it  is,  I  apprehend^  a  lesson  -^^^ich  nothing  "but 
the  frequent  trials  and  vicissitudes  of  life  can 
teach.  For  we  are  no  sooner  settled  for  a  short 
season  among  friends  or  places^  than  our  hearts 
send  forth  countless  little  fibres  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  root  themselves  into  every  penetrable 
crevice  of  affection.  And  were  it  not  for  the 
numerous  transplantings,  or  at  least  the  fre- 
quent diggings  about  the  roots,  Vv^e  should 
become  like  the  gnarled  oak,  immovably 
wedded  to  the  soil  of  our  birth.  Yet  these 
clingings  to  home  prove  that  we  were  not 
created  for  an  eternity  of  "chances  and  of 
changes."    Nor  need  we  have  the  least  anxiety 

*  Psal.  V.  &-8. 


MANSIONS.  29 

lest  we  should  ever  continue  in  this  nomad  and 
wandering  state,  for  "there  remaineth  a  rest 
to  the  people  of  God."* 


EVEISTING, 
MANSIONS. 


**  In  ray  Father's  house  are  many  mansions." 

■ — John,  xiv.  2. 

How  does  the  reflection  cast  from  the  sunlit 
turrets  of  this  our  Father's  home  brighten  the 
gloom  of  our  pilgrim  way  !  The  apostle  says, 
*'  Here  have  we  no  continuing  (uhovaap)  city."f 

"  Sad  truth,  -^ere  this  to  be  our  home  1" 

But  see  in  this  firm  promise  of  our  Saviour  an 
abundant  reply  to  every  apprehension :  "In 
my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions  {^ovaiy^ 
The  words  are  from  the  same  root  in  the 
Greek.  That  is,  what  earth  has  not,  heaven 
has  ;  what  time  asks  in  vain,  eternity  supplies, 

*  Heb.  iv.  9.  f  Heb.  xiil  14. 


30  MANSIONS. 

perpetuity,  citizensMp,  rest, — in  one  word, 
home.  How  easily  does  tlie  home-bound  trav- 
eller smile  at  tlie  credulity  of  those  who  com- 
miserate his  wandering  life  !  And  yet  many 
things  may  hinder  his  anticipated  welcome. 
Accidents  may  befall  him.  He  may  never 
reach  his  home,  or  reach  it  and  find 

"  The  hearth,  the  hearth  is  desolate ;  the  fire  is  quenched 
and  gone. 
That  into  happy  children's  eyes,  once  brightly  laughing, 
shone." 

And  shall  we.  Christian  pilgrims,  be  down- 
hearted ?  We  are  homeward-bound.  We  are 
sure  of  a  welcome.  For  thither  "the  Fore- 
runner is  for  us  entered."*  He  is  preparing 
the  place  for  us,  and  us  for  the  place.  He  has 
gone  to  his  Father's  house,  his  Father's  and 
ours :  and  soon  will  he  cry,  "  Come,  ye  blessed, 
inherit,  "f 

*  Heb.  vi.  20  f  Matt.  xxv.  34. 


CHRISTIANITY'S  TELESCOPE, 

"The  time  is  short." — 1  Cor.  vii.  29, 

How  do  tliese  few  pregnant  words  trans- 
form the  pilgrim's  prospect !  It  is  like  look- 
ing through  a  telescope  on  a  distant  planet: 
every  other  distracting  object  is  shut  out,  and 
the  far-off  world,  which  glimmered  only  like  a 
point  before,  brightens,  and  widens,  and  ab- 
sorbs every  thought  with  its  untold  marvels. 
But  some  will  answer,  "  AYhile  time  is,  it  seems 
long."  Be  it  so — its  semblance  cannot  touch 
its  reality.  It  is  short.  We  are  not  using  a 
distorting  glass,  when  we  look  at  all  things 
through  this  medium,  but  a  glass  which  en- 
ables us  in  some  degree  to  overcome  the 
inferiority  of  our  position,  to  divest  near 
objects  of  their   fictitious  magnitude,  and  to 


32  christiakity's  telescope. 

bring  distant  realities  into  their  due  propor- 
tion. There  is  indeed  miicli  skill  in  using 
this  celestial  telescope,  and  in  adjusting  to  a 
right  focus  its  lucid  and  powerful  lenses. 
Some  are  afraid  of  meditating  much  on  this 
truth,  lest  it  should  take  off  their  thoughts 
from  present  duties.  But  they  are  like  an 
unskilful  peasant,  who  throws  an  eje-glass 
from  him  on  the  first  trial,  complaining  he  can 
see  nothing  but  dimness  and  confusion,  and 
that  the  field  he  walks  in  is  enough  for  his 
purpose.  This  telescope  only  needs  prayer 
and  practice.  Use  it,  believer,  often  upon 
your  knees,  and  you  shall  exclaim  with  the 
confident  apostle,  "Our  light  affliction,  which 
is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glorj^"* 

*  2  Cor.  iv.  IT. 


CHRISTIANITY'S   MICROSCOPE.  33 

EVENING. 
CHRISTIANITY'S  MICROSCOPE. 

'    I  will  -water  it  every  moment  :  lest  any  hurt  it,  I  -will 
keep  it  night  and  day." — Isa.  xxvii.  3. 

Yes,  Christianity  has  its  microscope  as  well 
as  its  telescope.  Do  not  suffer  unbelief  to  sug- 
gest, "  My  God  and  Father  inhabiteth  eternity, 
with  him  one  .day  is  as  a  thousand  years,  and 
a  thousand  years  as  one  day  :  he  sitteth  upon 
the  circle  of  the  earth,  and  the  inhabitants 
thereof  are  as  grasshoppers ; — what  can  the 
sufferings  of  a  few  weeks  or  years  seem  in  his 
sight?  are  they  not  less  than  nothing  and 
vanity  ?"  Blind  unbelief !  that  my  Father  is 
infinite  and  eternal,  warrants  my  assurance 
that  he  appreciates  every  hour's  suffering,  and 
with  all  a  parent's  solicitude  counts  up  the 
moments  of  my  grief  Were  there  any  limit 
to  his  infinity,  my  sorrow  would  be  merged  in 
the  tide  of  a  world's  calamities.  But  now  the 
everlasting  God,  Jehovah,  the  Creator  of  the 


34  CHRISTIANITY'S  MICROSCOPE. 

ends  of  tlie  earth,  givetli  power  to  tlie  faint.* 
He  that  dwells  in  the  high  and  holy  place  also 
dwells  with  and  revives  the  hnmble  contrite 
spirit.f  No  sigh  of  his  children  is  wasted  on 
the  winds,  no  tear  falls  upon  the  sand.  Ee- 
member  he  has  tanght  ns  to  pray,  "  Put  thou 
my  tears  into  thy  bottle  :  are  they  not  in  thy 
book?"* 

*  Isa.  xl.  28,  29.  f  Isa.  Ivii.  15.  Psa.  Ivi.  8. 


STEP  BY  STEP. 

"  The  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  t]     ij»  I  ord." 
P3A.  xxxvii    23. 

Here  it  is  not  said,  tlie  ^vliole  co\.  rse  of  life 
— the  commencement,  outline,  and  issue  of  a 
good  man's  patliwaj — ^but  liis  steps  a^c  ordered. 
This  is  tlie  lesson  of  our  cliildhood,  but  it  is 
one  we  daily  need  in  the  riper  years  of  our 
spiritual  life.  Are  we  not  continually  saying 
in  our  hearts,  "  Oh,  if  I  could  but  see'  the  end 
of  this  trying  dispensation,  I  should  not  so 
much  mind  the  immediate  suffering,  but  I 
know  not  how  long  it  may  last,  or  what  will 
be  its  result?  I  could  well  bear  doubt  and 
darkness  for  a  few  weeks,  if  I  were  sure  that 
then  all  would  be  certainty  and  sunshine."  O 
believer,  whence  these  misgivings  ?     You  con- 


S6  THE  RIGHT  ROAD. 

fess  that  at  present,  according  to  tlie  faithful 
promise,  jou  are  not  tempted  or  tried  above 
what  you  are  able  to  bear.*  That  confession 
will  prove  the  germ  of  assurance  in  the  soil  of 
faith.  What  have  you  to  do  with  the  mor- 
row ?  the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the 
things  of  itself.  Do  not  even  during  one  half 
hour  burden  yourself  with  the  anxieties  of  the 
next.  The  Lord  will  have  his  children  go 
step  hy  step.  And  be  of  good  comfort ;  every 
step  is  ordered,  and  every  step  is  a  step  nearer 
home. 


EVENING. 

THE    RIGHT    ROAD 


"He  led  them  forth  by  the  right  way,  that  Vaey  might 
go  to  a  city  of  habitation." — P^a..  cvii    7. 

But  you  ask,  "  Is  not  man  a  prospective 
creature  ?     Can  he  be  content  that  the  pres- 
ent is  well  ordered,  without  many  inquisitive 
*  1  Cor.  X.  13. 


THE   RIGnT  ROAD. 


glances  at  tlie  future  ?  Why  tlien  is  lliis  inex- 
tinguisliable  love  of  anticipation  implanted  with- 
in US  ?"  True,  my  friend  ; — the  gospel  does  not 
quench  one  glowing  emotion  which  rises  to- 
w^ards  future  blessedness.  It  only  controls 
those  impatient  forebodings  of  our  fallen  hearts, 
as  to  whether  the  several  stages  of  our  pilgrim- 
age are  well  and  wisely  planned,  and  whether 
our  wisdom  could  not  devise  a  less  painful 
circuit.  It  assures  us,  once  for  all,  of  unspeak- 
able bliss  at  the  close  of  our  journey ;  and 
thus  gently  disentangling  our  affections  from 
the  transient  and  the  temporal,  fastens  them 
securely  on  the  enduring  and  the  eternal.  But 
this  is  not  all ;  in  the  words  of  our  motto,  it 
gives  us  ground  for  the  most  unlimited  confi- 
dence, that  every  part  is  defined  by  the  same 
loving  wisdom  that  ordains  the  whole.  Light 
often  breaks  in  as  we  go  onward;  though 
sometimes,  in  the  words  of  the  poor  Scotch 
w^oman  to  her  famishing  child,  "Ye  maun 
trust  him  where  ye  canna  trace  him."*     And, 

*  From  "  The  Highland  Glen." 


4 


88  THE   RIGHT  EOAD. 

ere  long,  in  tliat  city  of  liabitation,  sliall  we 
remember  all  the  way  tlie  Lord  our  God  bag 
led  us  tbese  many  years  in  tbe  wilderness,  to 
bumble  us,  and  to  prove  us,  and — as  we  sball 
tben  witb  an  empbasis  of  joy  confess — to  do 
us  good  at  our  latter  end.* 

*  Deut.  viii.  16. 


(gigljtl]  glo ruing, 

THE  PROFFERED  FRIENDSHIP- 

"  I  will  "be  with,  him  in  ti'ouble." — Psa.  xci.  15. 

Ik"  a  letter  from  one,  wlio  has  long  since 
been  removed  from  a  bed  of  extreme  suffering 
to  her  rest  above,  I  find  this  message,  "  Tell 

to  cleave  to  Jesus,    and  she  will  find 

afiliction  one  of  her  greatest  blessings,  though 
it  be  for  the  present  not  joyous  but  grievous." 
This,  from  so  great  a  sufferer,  is  precious  tes- 
timony. Oh,  surely  many  of  us  must  feel  as 
if  yet  we  knew  scarcely  anything  of  Jesus, 
of  his  love,  of  that  tender  brotherly  friend- 
ship with  which  he  wound  fain  gladden  our 
pilgrim  path.  The  ransomed  criminal  con- 
versing with  his  sovereign  forgets  the  wounds 
where  the  fetters  have  chafed  him.  Why  do 
not  we  ?  Does  not  the  conviction  force  itself 
upon  our  minil,  that  wherever  wc  are,  what- 


40  SINNERS   WELCOMED. 

ever  doing,  whatever  suffering,  we  possess,  in 
the  proffered  friendship  of  Jesus,  capabilities 
for  the  richest  enjoyment  a  jDoor  sinner  can 
have,  out  of  heaven  ?  And  affliction,  as  David 
knew  well,  is  the  Lord's  chosen  time  for  com 
munion.  "  Thou  hast  considered  my  trouble," 
he  sings ;  ''thou  hast  known  my  soul  in  ad 
versities."*  Or,  as  I  have  heard  it  said,  "  It  is 
the  sick  child  whom  the  mother  has  oftenest 
upon  her  lap."  And  yet,  I  grant  you,  these 
light  afflictions  seem  to  press  heavily  ;■ — cleave 
then  to  Jesus,  and  we  shall  find  that  he,  un- 
awares to  us,  has  shifted  the  burden  to  himself. 


EVENING. 

SINNERS     WELCOMED. 

•'This  man  receiveth  sinners." — Luxe,  xv.  2. 

Yes,  this  intercourse  Avith  the  Lord  Jesus 
requires  us  continually  to  recur  to  the  gospel 

*  Psa.  xxxi.  7. 


SINNEES  WELCOMED.  41 

terms,  on  wliicli  alone  we  can  acquaint  our- 
selves with  God,  and  be  at  peace:*  or  our 
spirit,  especially  when  tried  and  harassed, 
will  faint  and  shrink  back  from  the  Divine 
glory  of  this  society.  "This  man  receiveth 
sinners."  Sinners  ;  no  other  recommendation 
needed,  f  He  came  into  the  world  to  call  and 
to  save  sinners — wearj^,  wofal,  weeping  sin- 
ners ;  these  are  the  invited  ones.  Received — 
everything  is  contained  in  that :  if  received, 
then  chosen,  called,  pardoned,  robed,  renewed, 
smiled  upon,  welcomed,  embraced,  admitted 
to  fellowship.  By  a  J/an,  "  the  man  Christ 
Jesus  fX  that  secures  fellow-feeling,  power  of 
sympathy,  acquaintance  with  human  wants 
and  woes.  By  tJiis  Man;  "the  Word  was 
madeflesh."§  Here  is  the  sum  of  consolation, 
received  by  Emmanuel,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  the 
Good  Physician,  the  Saviour  of  the  lost. 
Search  and  look  if  in  the  whole  compass  of 

*Job,  xxii.  21.  f  1  Tim.  i.  15. 

X  1  Tim.  ii.  5.  §  John,  i.  14. 


42  SINNERS   WELCOMED. 

liTiman  distress  yon  can  find  one  grief  tliis  fel- 
lowship will  not  assnage.  ''  This  man  re" 
ceiveth  sinners."  Oh,  mnse  on  this — ruminate 
on  this  for  hours,  for  you  will  find  exhaustless 
nourishment  herein. 


THE    POOR   IN    SPIRIT. 

•Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit  :   for  theirs  is    th3    king- 
dom of  heaven."— Matt.  v.  3. 

Well  may  afaicted  believers  rejoice  in  the 
beatitudes,  and  often  drink  of  tlieir  quiet  con- 
solations,  and  luxuriate  in  tbeir  blessedness; 
for,  precious  as  tbey  are  to  all,  tbey  sbed  a  pe- 
culiarly tranquil  ligbt  in  the  chamber  of  sor- 
row.    You  might  search  all  heathen  authors 
through,  and  find  no  sympathy  like  this.     In- 
deed they  stand  opposed  to  the  very  spirit  of 
the  world,  which  praises  the  high-spirited,  the 
mirthfal,  the  victorious,  and  shuns  with  heart- 
less pity  the  meek-spirited,  the  broken-hearted, 
the  crushed.     Be  of  good  cheer.  Christian  suf- 
ferer; those   whom  the   world  commiserates, 
Jesus  congratulates.      And  we  may  say  with 


44  THE   POOR   IN   SPIRIT.  , 

far  truer  assurance  than  Balak,  "  I  wot  that  he 
whom  thou  blessest  is  blessed."*  Suffering, 
silence,  seclusion — ah,  this  is  a  congenial  cli- 
mate for  poverty  of  spirit,  which  grows  best 
like  the  lilly  of  the  valley,  shadowed  and  shel- 
tered. Wherefore  are  the  children  of  the  king^ 
dom  poor  in  spirit?  From  feeling  their  sin 
to  be  exceeding  sinful,  from  casting  them- 
selves siippliantlj  on  the  Lord  for  mercy,  from 
receiving  pardon  and  righteousness  from  him, 
from  learning  daily  their  own  weakness,  from 
living  daily  as  pensioners  on  his  bounty,  from 
imbibing  his  spirit  of  humility,  from  anticipa- 
tions of  glory  nndeserved.  Wherefore  are 
tliey  blessed  ?  They  are  possessors  of  the 
Mngdom  of  heavenly  grace,  they  are  inheritors 
of  the  kingdom  of  heavenly  glory.  Our  Lord 
sums  them  both  here  in  the  promise,  "  Theirs 
is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  The  Bible  never 
seems  very  careful  to  distinguish  between  the 
kingdom  of  grace  and  that  of  glory.  Some- 
times the  kingdom  of  God  is  spoken  of  as 

*  Numbers,  xxii.  6. 


THEY   THAT   MOUllN.  46 

being  *' within  3-011;"*  at  otliers,  as  being  es- 
tablished when  Jesus  rcturns.f  But  the  dis- 
tinction is  not  material.  They  are  inseparably 
connected,  like  the  flower  with  its  root.  Blessed 
art  thou,  suffering  member  of  the  kingdom  of 
grace,  for  tbine  is  the  kingdom  of  glory. 


EVENING. 
THEY  THAT  MOURN. 

"Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  :   for  they  shall  be 
comforted  " — Matt    v.  4. 

Some  of  the  sweetest  thoughts  of  Scripture 
are  drawn  from  truths  apparently  contradic- 
tory. Some  are  indeed  beyond  our  present 
skill  fully  to  harmonize;  but  those  which, 
being  revealed,  display  more  exquisite  and 
hidden  virtues,  are  a  pledge  that  none  are 
really  irreconcilable.  Such  is  this  beatitude. 
Mourners,  Eeason  says,  they  must  be  unhappy : 

*  Luke,  xvii.  21.  f  Matt.  xxv.  1. 


46  THEY  THAT  MOURN. 

Scripture  answers,  tliej  are  blessed.  If  Eeasou 
grows  uneasj,  point  to  the  beantj  of  yonder 
sun-set  cloud.  A  cloud — ^there  is  sometliing 
in  its  very  name  bespeaking  shadow  and 
gloom;  yet  wlio  feels  not  that,  impregnated 
with  roseate  light,  it  is  the  most  glorious 
object  in  that  western  sky?  Thus  affliction 
is  to  the  Christian  one  of  his  "  bright  clouds."* 
All  the  fragrance  of  chastened  joy  exhales 
from  his  chamber  of  mourning.  The  dew 
which  falls  so  gloomily  as  nightly  mist,  is 
needful  for  the  watering  and  beauty  of  the 
flower ;  and  adds  diamond  brightness  when 
the  sun  arises,  and  the  shadows  flee  away. 
Every  believer  is  one  of  "  those  who  mourn  " 
for  sin,  and  often  moiirn  in  sorrow.  Thus 
there  is  in  him  a  well-spring  of  tender  sym- 
pathy, which  the  world  cannot  know.  The 
natural  heart  escapes  the  dew  of  Christian 
sorrow ;  but  its  joy  withers  like  "  the  heath 
in  the  desert."f  The  believer's  soul  is  "aa 
a  watered  garden.if 

*  Zecli.  X.  1.  f  Jer.  xvii.  6.  X  Jer,  xxi.  12. 


THEY  THAT   MOUKN.  47 

"  Innumerable  as  tlie  stars  of  night, 
Or  stars  of  morning, — dew-drops,  which  the  sun 
Impearls  on  every  leaf  and  every  flower, — * 

the  rain-drops  liang  on  every  spray ;  and  in 
all  is  the  Sun  of  righteousness  reflected  with 
every  prismatic  ray  of  light  and  love. 

*  Milton's  "  Paradise  Lost,"  v.  746. 


THE  PASSING  CLOUD. 

"  O  my  G^od,  my  soul  is  cast  down  -within  me." — 
PsA.  xlii.  6. 

It  is  a  frequent  danger  witli  young  Chris* 
tians,  in  the  early  stages  of  tlieir  experience, 
to  trust  too  mucli  to  tlieir  frames  and  feelings 
of  mind,  to  think  themselves  safe  when  they 
are  happy,  and  to  fear  that  they  are  unsafe 
when  unhappy.  And  this  is  a  temptation 
that  may  peculiarly  beset  them  when,  with- 
drawn from  the  bracing  employ m.ents  of  active 
life,  they  are  compelled  to  ^'  feed  on  thoughts  " 
m  the  chamber  of  sickness,  and  lie  passive  be- 
neath the  shadows  or  the  gleams  which  fleet 
over  the  inner  man.  Yet,  most  true  it  is,  that 
spiritual  depression  is  a  matter  not  of  ground- 
less imagination,  but  of  sad  experience;  that 


THE   PASSING  CLOUD.  49 

tlicre  arc  seasons  wlien  those  "wlio  fear  the 
Lord  Avalk  in  darkness,  and  have  no  light  ;"* 
that  there  are  times,  often  and  suddenly  cloud- 
ing unusual  felicity  of  soul,  when  the  Lord 
hideth  his  face,  and  we  are  troubled  ;t  and 
when,  with  the  psalmist,  we  are  compelled  to 
confess,  "  O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down 
within  me."  Yet,  may  we  not  take  comfort 
even .  from  oi^r  very  griefs  ?  Does  the  world 
know  anything  of  sorrow  from  the  hidings  of 
God's  countenance,  from  the  strugglings  of 
inward  corruption  ?  Kay ;  they  have  not  ex- 
perienced spiritual  sunshine :  how  should  they 
mourn  the  want  of  it  ?  They  have  not  known 
spiritual  peace  :  how  should  they  be  disquieted 
for  the  lack  of  it  ?  Every  believer  has  found 
in  the  Psalms  the  utterance  of  his  own  fears 
and  anxieties,  breathings  and  cries.  Take 
courage,  fellow-soldier;  it  is  no  mean  proof 
that  thou  art  in  the  King's  army,  when  the 
experience  of  those  who  have  fought  and 
fallen  in  his  cause  expresses  thine  own,  and 

*  Isaiah,  L  10.  f  See  Psa  xxx.  6-1. 

5 


60  THE  PASSING  CLOUP. 

every  watchword  tliey  used  just  suits  tlij  case. 
And  consider  this  lamentation,  with  whicli 
you  so  deeply  sympathize,  a  little  more  closely, 
and  it  will  go  hard  but  that  you  may  wring 
from  it  unexpected  consolation.  "  0  my  God," 
mourns  David,  "my  soul  is  cast  down  within 
me."  What  means  this  cry?  Question  it 
rigidly ;  be  not  content  with  a  first  impress- 
ion ;  and  when  pressed  for  an  answer,  it  will 
reply,  "  Be  of  good  cheer."  "  O  my  gracious 
sovereign,"  exclaims  the  favoured  subject,  "  I 
am  anxious  about  my  prospects."  "  0  my 
dear  father,"  laments  the  fostered  child,  "  who 
will  support  me,  tend  me,  love  me?"  "  O  my 
brother,"  cries  the  beloved  friend,  "  to  whom 
shall  I  look  for  sympathy  ?"  Is  there  not  a 
strange  contradiction  here  ?  Does  not  the 
first  clause  of  the  complaint  abundantly  satisfy 
the  desponding  close  ?  Muse  on  this,  depressed 
Christian  ;  it  applies  to  you. 


THE  LASTING  SUNSHINE.  51 

EVENING. 
THE  LASTING  SUNSHINE. 

»•  Why.  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul?  and  why  art 
thou  disquieted  withiia  me  ?  Hope  thou  in  God." — 
PsA.,  xiii.  11. 

King  David  had  been  sorely  tempest-tossed. 
Deep  called  unto  deep ;  all  tlie  waves  and  bil- 
lows of  affliction  had  passed  over  him ;   but 
now  he  casts  out  his  anchor — even  the  anchor 
of  hope,  "  which  entereth  into  that  within  the 
veil.""^     And  see  how  gallantly  the  shattered 
vessel  rights  itself,  and  bears  up  against  the 
storm.      But   on  what  rock    does    his  hope 
fasten  ?     Even  on  God  hunself :     "  Hope  thou 
in  God."     He  ceases  to  muse  on  sunny  days 
gone  by,— he  no  longer  fixes  his  eye  on  the 
raging  of  the  tempestuous  ocean, — ^he  turns 
from  himself,  his  memories,  and  his  fears,  and 
rests  on  the  unchanging  certainty  of  the  power 
and  love  of  God.     Herein  may  we  spell  out  a 
most  momentous  lesson.     Our  safety  depends 
not  oa  our  consciousness  of  safety,  neither 

*  Heb.  vL  19. 


62  THE   LASTING   SUNSHIKK 

does  oiir  danger  consist  in  our  sense  of  peril. 
But  we  rest  on  certain  great  unsliifting,  nn- 
clianging  facts.  "  God  is  love."*  ''  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners."f 
*' Whosoever  belie veth  in  him  shall  not  per- 
ish. "  J  These  great  truths  rise  above  our 
frames  and  feehngs.  Let  us  only  satisfy  our- 
selves that  we  have  renounced  every  other 
ground  of  confidence,  and  are  relying  only  on 
Jesus,  as  "  the  propitiation  for  our  sins/'§  and 
we  may,  with  David,  rebuke  our  disquietude, 
and  ask — "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my 
soul?"  For,  all  our  alarms  never  quench 
one  beam  of  that  blessed  sun-light.  Earth 
— or,  rather,  our  little  nest  upon  it — may  be 
in  shadow,  but  the  spacious  firmament  is 
flooded  with  a  sea  of  light;  and,  remember, 
clouds  are  in  their  very  nature  movable  and 
evanescent. 

His  love  is  constant  as  tbe  sun, 

Though  clouds  oft  come  between ; 
And  could  our  faith  but  pierce  those  clouds. 

He  might  be  always  seen. 

*  1  John,  iv.  8.    f  1  Tim.  15.    X  Jo^"»  "i-  !*•    §  1  Jol>ii,  "•  2. 


(JhbnUIr   Panting* 

SOWN  IN  WEAKNESS. 

"It  is  sown  in  wealcness." — 1  CoR.  xv.  43. 

"We  may  surely  extend  tlie  application  of 
this  sowing  beyond  tlie  hour  of  death,  to  the 
Christian's  whole  life  on  earth,  which  is  so 
often  compared  in  Scripture  to  the  seed  time  of 
an  eternal  harvest.*  Suffering  child  of  Jesus, 
how  true  is  it  of  you,  "  sown  in  weakness !" 
How  many  enjoyments  are  you  shut  out  from ; 
how  many  occupations  must  you  daily  resign  ; 
how  many  paths  of  intellectual  activity  are 
cloSed  to  you  I  Be  of  good  cheer,  your  seed- 
time is  one  of  weakness ;  your  grain  of  wheat 
has  been  hid  somewhat  more  deeply  in  the  soil 
than  others,  and  so  has  had  to  struggle  with  a 
heavier  burden  up  to  the  pure  light;  but  I 

*  Gal.  vi.  7,  8. 
5* 


54  SOWN  m  WEAKNESS, 

doubt  not  it  lias  struck  its  fibrous  roots  into  a 
ricber  vein  of  mouldy  and  wben  emancipated 
and  clotbed  in  "  tbat  body  that  sball  be,""^  will 
be  tbe  more  exquisite  in  bue,  and  form,  and 
fragrance  for  its  long  and  sanctified  humilia- 
tion. Cheerfully  confide  in  the  husbandry  of 
Jesus,  and  you  shall  extract  fruitful  nourish- 
ment from  the  darkness  and  seclusion  of  your 
trial.  He  has  hidden  you,  but  he  has  not  for- 
gotten you.  Is  your  soul  at  times  refreshed  ? 
I  know  it  is.  Ah,  this  is  the  dew  of  his  Spirit, 
and  the  token  of  his  love.  Think  you  afflic- 
tion of  itself  would  yield  you  any  spiritual 
recreation  ?  Nay,  it  would  be  as  barren  as  the 
desert  sand.  For  it  is  the  Lord  who  makes 
"  bright  clouds,"  and  gives  "  showers  of  rain  ;"f 
and  that  earth  only  ^'  which  drinketh  in  the 
rain  that  cometh  oft  upon  it  receiveth  blessings 
from  God."t 

*  1  Cor,  XV.  SI.  f  Zech.  x,  1.  X  Heb.  vi.  1. 


RAISED  IN  POWER.  65 

EVENING. 
BAISED  liN  POWER. 

"  It  is  raised  in  power." — 1   Cor.   xv.  43. 

Yes,  many  and  costly  are  the  sacrifices 
wliicli  a  Christian  sufferer  is  called  to  make. 
The  crown  is  a  reality,  and  the  cross  is  not  a 
shadow.  The  joy  of  active  service,  the  hilarity 
of  the  family  circle,  the  chastened  cultivation 
of  taste,  the  delight  of  Christian  society,  and, 
chiefest  of  privations,  the  assembly  in  the 
courts  of  the  Lord ; — these  and  many  name- 
less enjoyments  which  only  they  w^ho  have 
long  been  laid  upon  the  bed  of  languishing 
can  appreciate,  is  he  daily  called  to  resign. 
They  seem  lost  and  buried.  But  in  the  fresh 
springtide  of  the  resurrection,  how  shall  every 
suspended  power  start  into  new  life  and  effort- 
less activity !  Each  one  shall  be  raised  in 
power.  Then  and  there  shall  he  enjoy  the 
untoilsome  exercise  of  every  faculty  and  affec- 
tion, for  "  his  servants  shall  serve  him  ;"*  we 

*  Rev.  xxii.  3. 


56  RAISED  IN  POWER, 

shall  dwell  in  the  mansions  of  our  Father's 
house ;  we  shall  contemplate  the  glories  of  the 
new  Jerusalem,  and  the  landscape  of  the  ever- 
lasting hills ;  we  shall  join  those  harpers,  harp- 
ing on  their  harps,  who  fill  the  courts  above 
with  the  swell  of  their  ceaseless  hallelujahs ; 
we  shall  imbibe  no  longer  the  partial,  childhke 
knowledge  of  earth,  but  the  wisdom  derived 
immediately  from  Jesus, "^  and  the  interchange 
of  thought  betwixt  the  holy  intelligences  of 
heaven;  we  shall  have  our  place  in  the 
heavenly  circle,  when  "the  whole  family  "f  is 
gathered  into  one  home,  which  no  losses  can 
sadden,  and  no  fears  disturb ;  and  we  shall 
share  the  unutterable  rapture  of  the  worship 
before  the  throne,  in  the  temple  of  God,  ad- 
mitted by  the  Son  of  his  love,  through  the 
communion  of  the  Spirit,  into  the  presence- 
chamber  of  his  Father  and  our  father,  his  God 
and  our  God.  These  things  are  yours, , suffer- 
ing believer.     Wait,  only  wait. 

*  1  Gov.  xiii.  9-12.  f  Ephes.  iii.  15. 


0  YE  OF  LITTLE  FAITH. 


'«  Why  are  ye  so  fearfu],  O  ye  of  little  faith.?" 
Matt.  viii.  26. 


Perhaps  some  reader  will  complain — "  You 
have  not  fatliomed  my  grief  yet.  These  re- 
flections are  very  suitable  to  a  Christian  of 
strong  faith.  I  can  understand  how  his  light 
affliction  seems  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  his  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 
But  my  faith  is  so  feeble  and  so  flickering,  at 
times  I  doubt  whether  I  am  a  believer  at  all ; 
and  when  conflict  of  soul  combines  with  suffer- 
ing of  body,  truly  '  the  heart  knoweth  its  own 
bitterness.' "  My  poor  brother,  deeply  do  I 
feel  for  and  with  you.  It  may  help  us,  how- 
ever, to  consider  the  faith  of  the  disciples,  and 
see  whether  it  knew  anything  of  these  fearfu] 


58  0  YE  OF  LITTLE   FAITH. 

fluctuations.  Let  us  trace  its  course.  There 
was  the  faith  of  following  ;*  thej  really  had 
some  faith,  or  they  never  would  have  followed. 
There  was  the  faith  of  fuller  conviction,  after 
his  first  miracle,  f  when  it  is  recorded,  "  His 
disciples  believed  on  him."  There  was  the 
earnest  desire  for  more  faith.J  There  was  a 
ripened  faith  in  his  Divinity. §  But  is  this 
cheering  view  the  only  aspect  Scripture  pre- 
sents of  their  belief?  Far  from  it.  See  their 
faith  in  weakness.  Four  times  does  Jesus  ad- 
dress them,  "  0  ye  of  little  faith."||  And  on 
one  mournful  occasion,  when  their  faith  had 
signally  failed,  he  makes  no  distinction  between 
them  and  the  unbelieving. world,  but  addresses 
the  keen  rebuke  to  all,  "  0  faithless  and  per- 
verse generation."^  Dear  brother,  think  not  I 
would  lower  the  standard  of  scriptural  faith. 
There  would  be  no  true  solace  in  that.  But 
do  you  not  truly  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Son 

*  John,  i.  37,  43.  f  John,  ii.  IL 

X  Luke,  xvii.  5.  §  Matt.  xW.  33  ;  xvi.  16. 

I  Mutt.  vi.  30 ;  viii.  26  ;  xiv.  31  •  xvi.  8.     "f  Matt.  xvii.  17 


THEY  HAVE  BELIEVED.  59 

of  God  ?  Would  you  not  lay  down  your  life 
for  this  truth  ?  have  you  not  staked  your  eter- 
nity on  this  ?  have  you  not  been  to  him  ?  have 
you  not  cast  your  guilt  upon  him?  are  you 
not  clinging  to  him  ?  are  you  not  thirsting  for 
his  Spirit  ?  would  3'ou  not  by  his  grace  follow 
whithersoever  he  leads  ?  is  it  not  your  earnest 
prayer,  "  Lord,  increase  my  faith  ?"  Be  of 
good  cheer.  Though  you  be  numbered  am^ong 
those  of  little  faith,  "  a  bruised  reed  shall  he 
not  break,  and  the  smoking  jBiax  shall  he  not 
quench."* 


EVENING. 
THEY  HAVE  BELIEVED. 

"  They  have  kept  thy  word  .  .  .  and  have  known  surely 
that  I  came  out  from  thee,  and  they  have  believed 
that  thou  didst  send  me." — John,  xvii.  6,  8. 

Is  it  possible  that  these  words  from  the  sub- 
lime prayer  of  our  Saviour  were  spoken  of 
those  same   timorous  disciples,  whose  former 

*  Isa.  xlii.  3. 


60  THEY  H^YE  BELIEVED. 

unbelief  lie  had  so  frequently  upbraided,  and 
wlio  all,  immediately  after,  "forsook  him  and 
fled?"  Is  there  not  one  word  of  reproach, 
not  one  reminiscence  of  their  unfaithfulness, 
no  allusion  to  their  distrustful  fears?  Nay, 
Divine  love  has  covered  the  whole  multitude 
of  their  sins.*  Their  sins  and  their  iniquities 
are  remembered  no  more.f  They  are  "cast 
into  the  depths  of  the  sea.":}:  "  They  are  blot- 
ted out  as  a  cloud,  as  a  thick  cloud,  "§  from 
the  blue,  transparent  firmament  of  his  favor. 
Jesus  presented  his  disciples  in  prayer,  as  he 
will  hereafter  in  glory,  "faultless  before  the 
presence  of  God."||  For  in  the  gospel  cove- 
nant Balaam's  words  are  verified:  "He  hath 
not  beheld  iniquity  in  Jacob,  neither  hath  he 
seen  perverseness  in  Israel."^" 

Oh,  trembling  believer,  so  shall  it  be  with 
you.  Your  faith  being  a  true  faith,  how- 
ever feeble  or  faltering,  has  placed  you  "in 
Christ."     You  are  Avashed  in  his  blood.     And 

*  Prov.  X.  12.  t  Heb.  x.  11.  %  Micah,  vii.  19,  ^  Isa.  xliv.  22. 
II  Jude,  24.  ^  Numb,  xxiii.  21 ;  see  also  Jer.  1.  20. 


THEY  HAVE  BELIEVED.  61 

'*liis  eyes,"  wtiicli  are  '^^s  a  flame  of  fire,'''^ 
detect  no  defilement  on  any  blood-sprinkled 
soul.  Hear  how  lie  challenges  the  universe : 
*'  Who  shall  lay  anything  to  tlic  charge  of 
God's  elect  ?"f  Hear  how  he  promises :  "  They 
shall  be  mine  in  that  day  Avhen  I  make  up 
ray  jewels.":]: 

•  Rev  i.  14.  f  Rom.  viii.  33.  :}:  Mai.  iii.  11. 


PETEE'S    FALL. 

"And  the  Lord  said,  Simon,  Simon,  "behold,  Satan  hafh 
desired  to  have  you,  that  he  xany  sift  you  as  wheat  : 
"but  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not." 
Luke,  xsiii.  31. 

The  apostle  Peter  is  a  notable  example  how 
living  faith  maj  fall,  and  jet  not  ntterly  be 
cast  down.'^  He  was  bold,  energetic,  ardent, 
generous.  When  called,  he  immediately  re- 
linquished all.f  When  assui^ed  that  it  was 
Jesus,  he  volunteered  to  walk  the  stormy 
waters.J  When  asked  his  judgment  about 
his  Master,  he  gave  that  noble,  unreserved 
confession  which  "flesh  and  blood  had  not 
revealed"  to  him.§  Were  it  not  for  the  fidel- 
ity of  Scripture,  we  might  have  thought 
nothing  could  have  shaken  the  constancy  of 

*  Psa.  xxxvii.  24.  f  Matt.  iv.  18,  20. 

:j:Matt.  XIV.  28-31.  §  Matt.  xvi.  15-17. 


PETER'S   FALL.  63 

liis  devotion.  And  yet  how  read  we?  He 
wlio  alone  of  men  ever  "  walked  upon  the 
water,"  took  his  eye  off  Jesus,  saw  the  boister- 
ous waves,  and  began  to  sink.  Immediately 
after  his  glorious  confession,  he  was  stumbled 
at  the  thought  of  his  Master's  crucifixion,  and 
began  to  rebuke  him.*  Then  came  his  last 
awful  denial.  He  did  not  fall  all  at  once. 
First  he  grew  self-confident.  He  had  now  fol- 
lowed Jesus  a  considerable  time.  Awakened 
souls  may  be  humble  and  watchful  at  first; 
but  as  they  go  on,  the  danger  of  self-confi- 
dence increases.  Judas  had  just  left  them.f 
When  hypocrites  are  unmasked,  we  are  prone 
to  be  self-confident  in  our  own  trust-worthi- 
ness. Jesus'  disciples  only  were  with  him 
when  he  boasted; — it  is  easy  to  profess  un- 
flinching fidelity  in  the  presence  of  Christians. 
Self-confidence  led  to  slumber.  He  slept  when 
Jesus  was  in  an  agony  of  prayer ;  nor  even 
awoke  to  watchfulness  at  the  piercing  question, 
"  Simon,  sleepcst  thou  rX     ^^  ^'^'^^  ^^*  P^^' 

*  Matt.  xvi.  22.     f  See  John,  xiii.  30,  36-38.     %  ^Ii»"k,  xiv.  37. 


64  PETER'S   RECOVERY. 

sue  his  mournful  fall.  He  fell  lower  and 
lower,  till  there  was  but  one  thing  between 
between  him  and  destruction  ;  and  that  was 
tho  omnipotent  -prsLjev  of  Jesus:  "I  have 
prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not."  That 
plank  saved  him.  O,  trembling  believer, 
though  your  faith  in  time  past  has  faltered 
and  fallen,  even  like  Peter's,  do  not  despair. 
You,  too,  have  "an  Advocate  with  the 
Father."^  For  you,  too,  has  Jesus  prayed,  not 
that  you  should  be  taken  out  of  the  world,  but 
kept  from  evil.f 


EVENING. 
PETER'S   RECOVERY. 


"  That  the  trial  of  your  faiti.  .  .  .  though,  it  he  tried 
"with  fire,  might  he  found  unto  praise  and  honour  and 
glory-  at  the  appearing  of  Christ." — 1  Pet.  i,  7. 

So  writes  this  same  apostle  when  he  had 
struggled  for  nearly  thirty  more  years  against 
an  evil  heart  within,  and  an  evil  world  with- 

*  1  John,  ii.  1.  f  John,  xvii.  15. 


PETER'S  RECOVERY.  65 

out.  How  was  lie  recovered  from  his  dreadful 
fall  ?  Step  by  step.  His  Master's  look  made 
him  remember."^*  Remembrance  brought, 
through  grace,  the  bitter  tears  of  godly  sor- 
row. Dark  indeed  must  have  been  the  day 
when  Jesus  lay  in  the  tomb  ;  but,  on  the  re- 
surrection morning,  hearken,  contrite  mourner, 
what  an  invitation  is  sent  by  the  angel :  "  Go, 
tell  his  disciples  and  Petery\  Why  not,  "  and 
James  or  John  P  Jesus  well  knew  whose 
fluttering  heart  most  chiefly  feared  rebuke  and 
repulse ;  and  he  was  sent  to  heal  the  broken- 
hearted. "We  can  imagine  how  closely  he 
questioned  Mary  Magdalene  :  "  Are  you  sure 
that  I  was  invited  by  name  ?"  And  with  what 
reviving  joy  he  was  assured  the  command  was 
to  tell  "  his  disciples  and  Peter."  After  this 
lie  had  a  separate  interview  with  our  Lord.:]: 

*  Luke,  xxii.  61. 

f  Mark,  xvi.  7.  These  -words,  "  and  Peter,"  are  only  re- 
corded in  Mark's  Gospel,  which  was  probably  written  under 
Peter's  dictation.  It  is  no  wonder  he  treasured  them  in 
grateful  remembrance. 

X  Lulce,  xxiv  34 ;  1  Cor.  xv.  5, 

6* 


66  PETER'S  RECOVERY. 

The  fact  only  is  recorded ;  but  pardoned  sin- 
ners can  well  conceive  the  meltings  of  his  con- 
trite heart,  and  the  forgiving  tenderness  of  the 
Lord.  Again  is  he  singled  out  by  the  thrice- 
repeated  question,  "Lovest  thou  me?"  He 
answers  with  grief,  but  no  longer  with  the  self- 
confidence  of  an  untried  believer,  "Lord,  thou 
knowest  all  things  ;  thou  knowest  that  I  love 
thee."*  Love  to  Jesus  ever  after  was  the  main- 
spring of  his  life.  He  who  flinched  from  the 
prying  question  of  a  servant-maid,  made  the 
rulers,  and  elders,  and  scribes  quail  before  the 
boldness  of  one  who  "  had  been  with  Jesus  ;"f 
and,  when  beaten,  rejoiced  that  he  was  counted 
worthy  to  suffer  shame  for  his  name.  And 
thus,  in  his  latest  years,  he  feeds  the  flock  of 
God  from  his  own  dear-bought  experience, 
and  encourages  them  in  the  furnace  to  be 
"  faithful  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord." 

*  John,  xxi.  15-17.  f  Acts,  iy.  6,  13. 


THE  KNOCKING  SAVIOUR 

"Behold.  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock;  if  any  man 
hear  my  voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  "will  come 
in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  hinD,  and  he  with  me." 
•  — Kev.  iii.  20. 

Believer,  is  not  the  answer  of  your  soul, 
"  Come  in,  Lord ;  come  in "?  Do  you  not 
choose  Jesus  for  your  guest  before  every 
other  ?  and,  as  often  as  unbehef  draws  a  bolt 
or  bar,  do  you  not  angrily  chide  the  officious, 
disobedient  menial,  and  unbolt  and  unbar  with 
your  own  hand,  and,  "like  a  wife  when  she 
hears  the  foot-fall  of  her  late-returning  hus- 
band," throw  wide  the  door  and  greet  his  com- 
ing with  the  joyous  welcomings  of  love  ?  Oh, 
then,  take  comfort.  He  can  distinguish  be- 
tween the  ^vretched,  rebellious  slave,  and  the 
willing,  though  hampered  host.  Only  hear  his 
voice  and  open  the  door — he  will  come  in.     It 


68  THE  KNOCKING  SAYIOUK. 

is  not  so  witli  tlie  children  of  this  world. 
Pleasure  comes  to  the  door  of  their  hearts,  or 
wealth  or  honor ;  it  is  at  once  thrown  open, 
and  these  worthless  guests  are  entertained  with 
the  most  servile  attention.  But  Jesus  knocks 
by  his  word,  by  his  ministers,  by  mercy,  by 
trial,  and  they  close  their  ears,  or  indolently 
answer,  "  When  I  have  a  convenient  season,  I 
will  call  for  thee."*  But,  though  the  Lord  is 
very  long-suffering,  not  willing  that  any  should 
perish,  "  the  knock  will  come  which  is  the  last 
knock ;"  and  this  heavenly  Guest,  so  long  ex- 
cluded and  repulsed,  will  reply,  "They  shall 
call  upon  me,  but  I  will  not  answer. "f  Oh  the 
distinguishing  grace,  believer,  that  has  made 
thee  to  differ  I  Though  you  never  had  another 
half-hour's  intercourse  with  pleasure,  or  wealth, 
or  fame,  is  not  the  language  of  your  heart  to 
your  Saviour, 

"  Abide  with  me  from  morn  to  eve, 
For  without  thee  I  cannot  live  ; 
Abide  with  me  when  night  is  nigh, 
For  without  thee  I  dare  not  die"  ? 


*  Acts,  xxiv.  25.  f  Prov.  i.  28. 


THE   HIDDEN   SAINT.  69 

EVENING. 

THE  HIDDEN  SAINT. 

"I  flee  unto  thee  to  bide  me." — Psa.  csliii.  9. 

We  Lave  considered  tlie  Saviour  entering 
the  believer's  .heart.  Let  us  now  reverse  the 
picture,  and  consider  the  behever  entering 
into  his  hiding-place,  even  his  Saviour;  for 
both  are  Scripture  emblems. 

"  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you,"*  is  the  double 
invitation  of  love.  "  I  flee  unto  thee  to  hide 
me,"  cries  the  persecuted  psalmist.  The  world, 
like  Adam  and  Eve  in  the  garden,  flees  from 
Grod,  thinking  to  find  some  hiding-place  in 
riches,  pleasure,  fame — those  leafy  labjTinths 
of  a  ruined  earth.  God  is  their  terror  now, 
and  will  be,  they  tremblingly  acknowledge, 
their  righteous  Judge.  They  would  hasten 
anywhere  to  shut  out  thoughts  of  God.  But, 
oh  blessed  triumph  of  the  gospel  of  peace  !  the 
believer  flees  to  God  in  Christ ;  a  voice  of  ten- 

*  Jolm,  x\\  4, 


70  THE  HIDDEN  SAINT. 

derest  compassion  arrested  liim  in  his  former 
fliglit  —  he  turned,  and  met  not  an  angry 
Avenger,  but  a  forgiving  Father.  Henceforth 
in  every  trouble  he  exclaims,  "  Thou  art  my 
hiding-place  ;"*  and,  once  within  that  everlast- 
ing refuge,  his  faith  rises  as  he  surveys  the 
impregnable  bulwarks  of  his  fortress,  and  he 
continues  in  a  strain  of  victory,  "  Thou  shalt 
preserve  me  from  trouble ;  thou  shalt  compass 
me  about  with  songs  of  dehverance." 

*  Psa.  xxxii.  1. 


liftctutl]  glorniiig,         » 

NO  EVIL  TIDINGS. 

"He  shall  noc  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings.'" — Fsa.  cxii.  7. 

No  evil  tidiiig-s  from  God  his  Fatlier,  but 
messages  of  parental  love ;  no  evil  tidings 
from  Jesus,  for  liis  voice  is  the  voice  of  a 
friend ;  no  evil  tidings  from  the  blessed  Spirit, 
for  his  whispers  are  those  of  peace  and  con- 
solation. No  evil  tidings  from  heaven,  but 
report  of  a  mansion  preparing;  no  evil  tidings 
from  hell,  for  no  place  is  found  there  for  the 
feeblest  sheep  of  Christ;  no  evil  tidings  of 
ministering  angels  overthrown,  for  they  are 
prevalent  in  their  ministry  of  love  ;  no  evil 
tidings  of  hostile  spirits  overcoming,  for  we 
wrestle,  with  victory  written  against  our  names, 
"  more  than  conquerors.""^*  The  thunder-cloud 
of  sorrow  bears  solemn,  but  no  evil  tidings  ;  it 
is  the  voice  of  our  Father  and  our  God.     Be^ 

*  Rom.  viii.  37. 


72  THERE  IS   AN  END. 

reavement  brings  mournful,  but  no  evil  tidings  ; 
a  beloved  fellow-traveller  is  parted  from  us, 
but  another  guest  has  sat  down  at  the  heaven- 
ly banquet,  and  we  shall  soon  be  beside  him. 
The  last  trumpet  peals  no  evil  tidings,  but  the 
bride  rejoices  at  the  cry,  "Behold,  the  bride- 
groom Cometh,"'^  and  answers  from  the  falness 
of  a  glowing  heart,  "  Even  so,  come  Lord 
Jesus."  Blessed,  blessed  believer !  all  things 
are  his,  whether  that  eminent  brother,  or  this 
Christian  sister,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death, 
or  things  present,  or  things  to  come,  all  are 
his,  and  he  is  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's.f 


EVENING. 
THERE  IS  AN  END. 


"Let  not  tliine  heart  envy  sinners  :  "but  be  thou  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  aU  the  day  long.  For  surely  there 
is  an  end  :  and  thine  expectation  shall  not  "be  cut 
off."— Prov.  xxiii.  17,  18. 

Surely  there  is  an  end ;  to  sinners,  of  their 
false  peace  and  joy  and  mirth,  of  unrestrained 

*  Matt.  XXV.  6.  f  1  Cor,  iii.  21-23. 


THERE   IS  AN   END.  73 

Sin,  of  uncliastiscd  pride,  wlien  tliey  begin  to 
reap  the  eternal  harvest,  whicli  tliey  sowed,  of 
carnal  corruption.  Surely  there  is  an  end  to 
the  chastened  mourners  who  walked  in  the 
fear  of  God,  an  end  of  sin  and  sorrow,  of 
Satan's  snares,  an  end  of  conflict,  distress,  and 
fear,  and  cloud  ;  of  fighting  and  race-running, 
and  voyaging  and  going  on  pilgrimage ;  for 
they  have  won  the  battle,  and  the  race,  and 
the  port,  and  the  home.  But  not  merely  an 
end,  an  end  and  an  expectation  to  them.  For 
as  the  Lord  says  by  Jeremiah,  "I  know  the 
thoughts  that  I  think  toward  you,  thoughts  of 
peace,  and  not  of  evil,  to  give  you  an  expected 
end."*  (Hebrew,  ''  an  end  and  expectation.") 
What  an  exposition  of  the  heart  of  God  is  this  I 
of  his  meditations  of  love  to  us  now,  of  his 
purposes  of  grace  forever,  when  in  his  presence 
every  hope,  expectation,  longing,  craving  of 
the  soul,  shall  be  fulfilled^  with  communion 
with  himself,  with  the  image  of  Jesus  per 
fected,  with  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

*  Jer.  xxix.  11. 
7 


MUCH  UNBELIEF,  MORE   FAITH. 

"Tlie  father  of  the  child  cried  out,  and  said  with  teara. 
Lord,  I  "believe  :  help  thou  mine  unhelief." — Mark, 
ix.  24. 

Ah  I  this,  you  say,  is  just  my  case.  Faith 
wrestles  with  unbehef  in  my  heart.  There  is 
a  perpetual  struggle,  a  forceful  leaning  upon 
Jesus,  an  obstinate  clinging  to  him ;  but  few 
sparkles  of  "joy  in  believing ;"  "  fightings 
without,  fears  within  ;""^^  yet  I  would  rathei 
die  than  give  up.  My  whole  hopes  for  pardop 
lie  in  Jesus'  blood,  for  acceptance  in  his  right 
eousness.  I  do,  and  would  utterly  renounce 
every  other  confidence.  Living  or  dying,  I 
cast  my  soul  on  "the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world  :"f  and  by 
his  grace  would,  at  this  moment,  willingly  lay 

*  2  Cor.  vii.  5.  f  John,  i.  29, 


MUCH  UNBELIEF,   MORE  FAIFH.  75 

down  my  life  to  witness  tliat  tliis  trutli  would 
bear  me  safely  tlirougli  death's  cold  waters  to 
tlie  shore  of  glory  beyond.  This  being  so,  what 
is  the  unbelief  that  so  perplexes  and  distracts 
me  ? — A  perpetual  whisper  (whether  from  Satan 
without,  or  my  own  vile  heart  within,  I  know 
not),  ''What  if  these  things  are  not  so?" 
Thank  God,  I  seek  to  stifle  it  ever  as  it 
arises  by  a  strong  exertion  of  the  will,  praying 
for  pardon  that  the  thought  should  have  for  a 
moment  lurked  within,  and  casting  myself  on 
Jesus,  resolvedly  and  determinately.  This 
struggle  has  been  for  years,  and  is  unutterably 
painful :  for  though,  at  times,  I  have  flashes  of 
entire  confidence,  of  which  words  cannot  tell 
the  momentary  peace  and  comfort ;  soon  again 
unbehef  baffles,  entangles,  and  drags  me  into 
warfare.  Lord,  search  me  and  try  me:  bring 
any  hidden  evil  to  light  that  hinders  ''the 
victory  ^^  of  faith  * 

Is  this  your  case,  is  this  your  prayer,  my 
brother  in  tribulation?     Oh  I  do  not  despair. 

*  John,  V.  4- 


76       TWO   CHILDREN  EST  DIVERSE  HOMES. 

There  was  real  inibelief  as  -well  as  true  faitii  in 
the  father  of  the  child;  bnt  faith  was  the 
stronger,  for  it  prayed  for  help  against  Tinbe- 
lief.  Jesus  did  not  reject  the  struggling  prayer. 
The  child  was  ciired."^  Hold  the  'beginning  of 
jour  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end.f  Light 
shall  break  in  as  you  go  on.  "^  Who  is  among 
you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the 
voice  of  his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness, 
and  hath  no  light?  Let  him  trust  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  himself  upon  his 
God.:j:  Yes,  Ms  God :  he  who  hath  no  light 
can  cry  in  the  darkness,  "^O  God,  my  God."§ 


EVENING. 

TWO  CHILDREN  IN   DIVERSE  HOMES. 

"  Te   are   they  "which,  have  continued  with  me   in  my 
temptations." — Luke,  xxii.  28. 

There  were  two  children,  who  were  placed 
in   different  homes,    at  a   distance  from  the 

*  Mai-k,  ix.  27.      f  Heb.  in.  1 4.      %  Isa.  L 10,     §  Psa.  xliu.  4. 


TWO  CHILDREN  IN   DIVERSE  HOMES.       77 

Tixtlier  whom  they  loved.  One  child  was  with 
a  family,  every  member  of  v/hich  esteemed  his 
father ;  his  name  was  never  mentioned  but 
with  love  and  veneration ;  his  character  was 
upheld  as  a  very  model  of  excellence ;  and  the 
child's  admiration  for  his  father  grew  with  his 
years,  and  strengthened  with  his  ripening  un- 
derstanding. Far  different  was  the  case  with 
his  brother.  The  family  he  was  placed  with, 
seemed  bent  on  weaning  his  affection  from  his 
father,  and  undermining  the  confidence  he  re- 
posed in  him.  They  seldom  indeed  ventured 
upon  open  accusation,  but  were  ever  insinuating 
doubts  as  to  his  father's  uprightness,  discre- 
tion,  or  love.  The  child  was  deeply  hurt  at 
these  suspicions ;  he  stifled  them  continually ; 
but  they  awoke  thoughts  of  which  he  could 
not  always  lose  at  once  the  painful  impression 
Often  did  he  say  to  himself, — "  Let  them  talk 
as  they  will,  I  know  that  my  father  is  good, 
and  mse,  and  tender;  I  know  that  he  loves 
me ;  how  often  have  I  proved  it :  I  am  foolish 
to  be  so  distressed ;  ere  long  I  shall  see  him 
7* 


78      TWO  CHILDEEN  IN  DIVERSE  HOMES. 

face  to  face^  and  hear  from  his  own  lips  an 
explanation  of  many  things  which  I  cannot 
now  unravel :  till  then,  suspect  and  suggest  as 
they  may,  I  will  believe  in  his  excellence  and 
love."  In  due  time  the  father  sent  for  both 
his  children  to  his  own  home ;  but  think  you 
he  welcomed  that  child  with  less  affection 
and  approval,  who  would  love  on  and  trust 
him  through  base  insinuation  and  suspicion  ? 

See  here  a  picture  of  two  believers.  Few 
doubts  ever  assail  the  happy  faith  of  one.  The 
other  passes  through  deep  spiritual  conflict :  a 
mahgnant  devil,  an  unbeheving  world,  and  a 
corrupt  heart,  are  ever  whispering  hateful  sus- 
picions of  his  God.  "■  Though  perplexed,  he 
will  not  despair  ;"*  though  silenced  and  con- 
fdsed,  he  continues  to  follow  ;  though  beaten 
by  the  waves,  he  clings  to  the  rock.  Though 
his  Master  is  slandered  and  traduced,  he  keeps 
in  his  service.  He  continues  with  him  in  his 
temptations ;  and  in  the  day  of  God  he  too  shall 
hear,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant."! 

*  2  Oor.  iv.  a  t  Matt.  xxv.  21. 


S^b^ntnittl]  filming. 

THE   FOKGIVEN    MAN. 

"  Be  of  good  cheer  ;    thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee  " 
— Matt    ix.  2. 

Stkange  and  solemn  must  these  words  liave 
seemed  to  the  sick  of  the  palsy.  He  had  been 
brought  with  his  diseased  and  trembling  limbs 
to  Jesus ;  his  heart  beat  high  with  fluttering 
hope  ;  that  hope  rose  almost  to  certainty,  when 
these  gracious  words  began  to  fall  from  the 
lips  of  the  Lord,  "  Son,  be  of  good  cheer." 
Now,  he  thought,  this  Good  Physician  will 
speak  the  words  of  power,  "  Be  whole  of  thy 
disease."  But  the  Saviour's  greeting  was  dif- 
ferent. "Be  of  good  cheer ;  thy  sins  be  for- 
given thee."  This  turned  his  thoughts  from 
the  painful  malady  of  his  body  to  the  far  deeper 
plague  within.  It  transported  him  at  once 
from  things  seen  and  temporal,  to  things  un« 


80  THE  FOKGIVEN  MAN. 

seen  and  of  eternal  moment.  We  read  not 
tliat  lie  spoke  ;  silently  he  pondered  that  brief 
but  unspeakably  blessed  command.  Oh,  be- 
lieve me,  there  was  the  strictest  reasoning  in 
the  charge  to  rejoice,  and  the  cause  assigned. 
What  would  it  have  availed  him,  though  his 
palsied  strength  had  been  renewed  like  that  of 
youth,  though  his  decrepit  flesh  had  come 
again,  like  unto  the  flesh  of  a  little  child,  and 
though  he  should  live  to  a  green  old  age  with- 
out weakness  or  pain, — if  notwithstanding  his 
sins  were  unforgiven,  and  his  soul  unsaved  ? 
Would  his  mortal  health  and  strength  be  mat- 
ter of  rejoicing  at  the  judgment  ?  Which  then 
would  sound  the  sweetest,  "  I  healed  thy  palsy," 
or  "  I  forgave  thy  sins  ?" 

BelieviQg  mourner,  trust  in  the  infinite  wis- 
dom of  thy  Saviour,  when  he  says  to  thee, 
"  Be  of  good  cheer ;  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee." 
The  miracles  thus  far  at  least  applies  to  you. 
Let  not  thy  unwilling  heart  reply,  "  Of  good 
cheer !  This  is  very  well  for  othere  ; — ^but  my 
body  is  weak  and  suffering,  my  heart  is  dark 


THE   PERFECT  WORK.  81 

and  tempest-tost,  my  liveliliood  uncertain,  my 
beloved  ones,  some  gathered  home,  some  far 
distant  on  earth— tell  others  to  be  cheery,  let 
me  weep."  Nay,  brother,  thy  sins  are  for- 
given ;  this,  with  every  spiritual  joy,  includes 
a  body  of  immortality,  a  heart  of  light  and 
love  for  evermore,  the  abundance  of  thy  Fa- 
ther's mansions,  the  eternal  restoration  of  all 
who  sleep  in  Jesus.     "  Be  of  good  cheer." 


EVENING. 
THE  PERFECT  WORK. 

"  His  TTork  is  perfect."— Deut.  :j:x3:ii.  4. 

Yes,  you  reply,  I  have  indeed  matter  for 
rejoicing ;  but  life,  which  has  to  others  an  on- 
ward, busy,  changing  character,  is  to  me  con- 
tinuous and  monotonous.  I  seem  almost  like 
the  poor  man  at  the  pool  of  Bethesda,*  who, 
while  others  come  and  go,  never  gete  any  for- 

*   John,  V.  7. 


82  THE  PERFECT  WORK. 

warder.  Naj,  consider,  life  cannot  be  con- 
tinuous, ''Here  have  we  no  continuing  city:"* 
it  is  swiftly,  incredibly  swiftly  passing  on ;  and 
either  by  suffering  or  working  is  preparing  us 
for  our  eternal  home.  God's  "work  is  per- 
fect :"  perfect  in  the  love  from  which  it  origin- 
ates, perfect  in  its  means  for  the  end,  perfect  in 
its  final  issue.  And  this  work  is  being  accom- 
plished in  you ;  and  quickly  moreover,  like  a 
skilful  operation  in  surgery,  with  the  utmost 
rapidity  consistent  with  the  safety  of  the  pa- 
tient. Yes,  ''  The  time  is  short,"  "  The  Lord 
is  at  hand :"  a  truth  which  throws  its  reflex 
light  on  both  the  preceding  commands,  "  Ee- 
joice  in  the  Lord  alway ; — let  your  moderation 
be  known  unto  all  men."f  His  speedy  advent 
will  crown  with  glory  both  work  and  patience 
in  his  service. 

*  Heb.  xiii.  14.  f  PhiL  iv.  4,  6. 


THE  GOSPEL  REPORT. 

''  Our  report." — IsAiAn,  liii.  1. 

Though  you  cannot  join  "tlie  multitnde 
Wlio  keep  lioly  clay,"  or  "liear  the  joyful 
sound"  in  the  courts  of  tlie  Lord's  house,  your 
chamber  of  sickness,  Christ's  mourner,  shuts 
not  out  the  music  of  ''  our  report."  Muse 
upon  it,  as  uttered  in  this  prophetic  chapter, 
by  Isaiah,  more  than  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred years  ago  ;  words  of  sweeter  meaning,  of 
more  penetrating  love,  had  never  fallen  on  our 
weary  world.  It  was  the  fuller  confirmation 
of  the  first  promise,  "  The  Seed  of  the  woman 
shall  bruise  the  serpent's  head  ;"*  it  was  the 
sealing  of  Job's  victorious  cry,  "  I  know  that 
my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand 

*  Gea  iii.  15. 


84  THE  GOSPEL  REPORT. 

at  the  laster  day  upon  the  earth  ;"*  it  was  the 
brightest  reflection  yet  given  of  the  still  dis- 
tant morning  of  the  nativity ;  it  was  the  pro- 
phetic fulfilment  of  ten  thousand  thousand 
sacrifices  since  the  firsthngs  of  Abel's  flock. 
Thrice  blessed  report,  containing  all  that  earth 
could  crave,  or  heaven  bestow  1  Man  was  a 
sinner,  lost,  undone,  miserable,  far  off  from 
God,  at  war  with  himself,  groaning  in  the 
gloom  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  sad  antici- 
pations of  worse  things  to  come.  Here  was 
One  who  would  sympathize  as  "  a  Man  of  sor- 
rows" with  his  griefs,  grow  up  as  a  man 
among  men,  carrying  his  sorrows — who  would 
be  wounded  for  his  transgressions,  bruised  for 
his  iniquities ;  by  whose  chastisement  he  should 
obtain  peace,  by  whose  stripes  healing ;  who 
would  be  brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter, 
whose  soul  would  be  made  an  offering  for  sin. 

*  Job,  xix.  25. 


THE  GOSPEL  REPORT.  85 

EVENING. 
THE  GOSPEL  REPORT. 

"  Our  report,'' — Isaiah,  liii.  1. 

Why  so  much  about  sin  ?  Ah,  this  was  the 
essence  of  the  sweetness  of  this  report.  It  did 
not  hide  the  cankering  evil :  it  did  not  gloss 
over  man's  real  necessities ;  it  did  not  explain 
away  the  monstrous  miseries  of  sin.  Ko ;  it 
confessed  them  all ;  it  laid  them  all  bare ;  it 
exposed  them  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man ; 
hut  then  it  provided  a  remedy — a  full,  perfect, 
radical  cure.  It  held  up  the  shattered,  filthy 
heart  of  man,  every  power  and  affection  de- 
filed; hut  then  it  plunged  that  heart  in  the 
cleansing,  healing  blood  of  Christ.  It  de- 
clared :  "  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray ; 
we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way."* 
Sad,  melancholy  truth !  from  which,  when 
Isaiah  wrote,  had  already  flowed  three  thou- 
sand years  and  more  of  sin  and  shame.     But 

*  Isa.  liii.  6. 
8 


36  THE   GOSPEL  EEPOET. 

could  you  not  detract  sometliing  from  the 
sweeping  assertion  ?  could  you  not  suggest 
tliat  there  miglit  have  been  some  exceptions, 
and  say  that  there  were  at  least  noble  strug- 
glings  against  the  universal  corruption  ?  ISTo, 
not  for  the  wealth  of  the  starry  firmament,  take 
one  syllable  from  that  declaration,  ^^  All  we 
like  sheep  have  gone  astray ;  we  have  turned 
every  one  to  his  own  way."  Sad,  jet  certain 
truth  !  But,  hark  !  the  prophet  continues : 
"And"— What  follows?  Death,  judgment, 
condemnation,  eternity  of  punishment  ?  ISTay 
— ^^And  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  Him  the  in- 
iquity of  us  all."  If  it  had  been  immediate 
death  for  sin,  condemnation  upon  conviction, 
and  no  prospect  but  eternal  woe,  we  must 
have  confessed  it  just ;  but  instead  of  judg- 
ment, wrath,  hell,  this  blessed  report  speaks  of 
nothing  but  atonement,  pardon,  j^eace,  good- 
will, glory.  Oh,  suffering  believer,  rest  on 
these  glad  tidings ;  are  they  not  bright  sun- 
beams in  3'our  "  cloudy  day  "? 


THE  ARM  OF  THE  LORD. 

"  To  -whom,  is  the  aim  of  the  Lord  revealed  ?" 

— IsA.  liii.  1. 

Theee  is  strong  consolation  for  tlie  weak 
and  weary  pilgrim  in  tliis  name  of  liis  Ee- 
deemer — "  tlie  arm  of  the  Lord !"  The  report 
of  this  chapter  speiks  so  much  of  the  humilia- 
tion of  the  Savioiu,  as  a  man  of  sorrows,  that 
there  is  something  peculiarly  precious  m  this 
Divine  title.  Wer3  you  asked  to  rely  upon  a 
human  arm,  you  well  might  shrink,  for, 
"  Cursed  be  the  maa  that  trusteth  in  man,  and 
maketh  flesh  his  aim."*  But  the  arm  of  the 
Lord,  it  is  the  very  emblem  of  the  strength  of 
omnipotence.  David  says :  "  Thou  hast  a 
mighty  arm ;  stron^  is  thy  hand,  and  high  is 
^)iy  right  hand  ;"f  and  again  :   "  His  holy  arm 

*  Jcr.  xvii.  5.  f  1*^^-  Lxxxix.  13. 


88  THE  AEM  OF  THE  LORD. 

hatli  gotten  him  tlie  victory."*  Isaiah,  clehghts 
in  the  title :  "Be  thou  their  arm  every  morn- 
ing ;"f  and  "  on  mine  arm  shall  they  trust  ;":j: 
and  shortly  after,  "  Awake,  awake,  put  on 
strength,  0  arm  of  the  Lord.  .  .  Art  thou 
not  it  that  hath  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a 
way  for  the  ransomed  to  pass  over  ?"§  And 
when  he  "  wondered  that  there  was  no  inter- 
cessor, therefore  his  arm  brought  salvation 
unto  him,"!  -^^  l^an  upon  an  arm  that  is 
all-powerful  for  the  destruction  of  your  foes, 
and  for  your  o^vn  salvation.  Will  these  papers 
fall  into  the  hand  of  a  young  believer  ?  Think 
not  this  arm  is  too  mightj  and  too  high  for 
you,  for  the  same  prophet  declares,  "  He  shall 
feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd,  he  shall  gather 
the  lamhs  with  his  arm."T  Only,  remember 
this  arm  must  be  "  revealed  ;"  it  is  not  man's 
discovery  or  invention,  but  it  is  God's  revela- 
tion to  man,  given  to  all  who  ask  in  faith. 
Ask,  then,  and  receive  the  blessing  of  Jeshurun. 

*  Psa.  xcviii.  1.  f  Isa.  xxxiii.  2.  X  ^^^-  ^*-  ^• 

§  Isa.  li.  9,  10.  i  L-a.  lix.  U.  1  Isa.  xl.  11. 

\ 
1 

I 


THE   LEANING   PILGRIM.  89 

"  There  is  none  like  unto  the  God  of  Jeshurun, 
who  ricleth  upon  the  heaven  in  thy  help,  and 
in  his  excellency  on  the  sky.  The  eternal 
God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the 
everlasting  arms."* 


EVENING. 

THE   LEANING  PILGRIM, 

"VT'ho  is  this  that  comefh  up  from  the  wilderness,  lean- 
ing on  her  Beloved  ?"— SoNg  viii.  5. 

The  pilgrim's  pathway  Zionward  is  diversi- 
jted  and  various.  There  are,  indeed,  the  wells 
and  palm  trees  of  Elim.-f  There  are  also  steep 
mountains,  and  precipitous  ravines,  and  deep 
waters,  and  the  waste-howling  wilderness.  But 
in  climbing  the  rugged  hills  of  difficulty,  in 
walking  uprightly  down  slippery  descents,  in 
wading  through  dangerous  rivers,  in  advancing 
cheerily  over  barren  sands,  what,  I  pray  you, 

*  Deut.  xxxiii.  26.  27.  \  ExocL  xv.  27. 

8-* 


90  THE  LEANING  PILGRIM. 

is  SO  grateful  to  the  weary  traveller,  as  the  arm 
of  an  affectionate,  wise,  and  able  supporter? 
Again,  consider,  those  who  leaa  upon  the  arm 
or  hang  upon  the  hand  of  their  friend,  can 
pour  their  secret  sorrows  into  his  ear,  and  re- 
ceive the  whispers  of  consolation  from  his  lips. 
Believer^  Jesus  speaks  to  thee :  "  Fear  thou 
not ;  for  I  am  with  thee :  be  not  dismayed ;  for 
I  am  thy  God :  I  will  strengthen  thee  ;  yea,  I 
will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my 
righteousness."*  What,  then,  can  jou.  fear? 
Who  can  be  against  you?  I^one  can  pluck 
you  from  his  hand.f  Do  you  dread  the  dan- 
gers by  the  way  ?  He  loves  "  unto  the  end, "if 
and  will  never  leave  3^ou.  Do  you  shrink  from 
passing  at  last  the  cold  waters  of  Jordan  ?  Be 
of  good  cheer  ;  you  have  believed  our  report, 
and  to  you  the  arm  of  the  Lord  has  been  re- 


*  Isa.  xli.  10. 


f  John,  X.  28,  29.  The  scope  of  the  Greek  seems  rather 
narrowed  by  the  insertion  of  the  word  "  man  "  in  the  trans 
lation.  It  is  ovx  upTtdoeL  rtg  .  ,  .  ovdelg  dvvaTaL  upndl^Etv. 
No  one,  man  or  devil.     See  Rom.  viii.  88,  39. 

:j:  John,  xiii.  1. 


THE  LEANING  PILGRIM.  91 

vealed.  Those  gospel  tidings  to  wliich  you 
gave  credence  in  a  world  of  unbelief,  shall  then 
sound  more  sweetly  than  the  harpings  of  the 
blessed,  in  accents  such  as  these  :  "  When  thou 
passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee ; 
and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow 
thee."*  The  arm  which  was  revealed  to  your 
faith  on  earth,  shall  then  be  felt  to  be  the  arm 
of  the  Lord,  and  bear  you  safely  through  to 
the  bhssful  land  of  promise. 

"  Shudder  not  to  pass  the  stream  ; 
Venture  all  your  care  ou  Him ; 
Him  whose  dying  love  and  power 
Still'd  its  tossing,  hush'd  its  roar : 
Safe  as  the  expanded  wave ; 
Gentle  as  the  summer's  eve  ; 
Not  one  object  of  His  care 
Ever  suffered  shipwreck  there." 


#  Isa.  xliU.  2. 


THE  CHEERFUL  SIDE  OF  THINGS. 

"  Forget  not  all  his  "benefits." — Psa,  ciii.  2. 

"Keep  on  tlie  sTinnj  side  of  the  rock,"  said 
an  aged  to  a  young  believer.  We  may  be 
safely  sheltered  beneath  the  rock,  and  yet  lose 
much  comfort  from  not  selecting  its  sunniest 
nooks.  It  will  much  help  us  to  this,  to  "  count 
up  our  mercies  "  rather  than  our  trials,  and  to 
meditate  more  frequently  on  the  innumerable 
blessings  wherewith  we  are  encompassed,  than 
on  the  few  pleasures  from  which  we  are  de- 
barred. They  say,  "to  look  on  the  cheerful 
side  of  things  is  worth  ten  thousand  a-year." 
I  am  sure  it  is  so  in  spiritual  things.  Though 
to  tell  the  Christian  to  count  up  his  mercies,  is 
to  request  him  to  number  the  countless  dew- 
drops  of  the  morning.     To  bid  him  look  upon 


THE  CHEERFUL  SIDE  OF  THINGS.         93 

tlic  cliccrful  side  of  things,  is  to  place  Wm  on 
a  mountain,  wlwse  summit  is  lost  in  liglit,  and 
to  ask  him  to  scan  a  prospect  whose  horizon 
is  eternity.    Nevertheless,  in  this  holy  habit, 
^-hich  they  only  can  adopt,  who  "  being  justi- 
fied by  faith  have  peace  with  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  lies  the  secret  of  rejoicing  " 
in  hope,  and  "  glorying  in  tribulation."*    Let 
us,  then,  though  in  brief,  remember  the  prmci- 
pa!l  benefits  which  the  most  affiioted  chUd  of 
God  enjoys  now,  or  in  prospect ;  for  be  sure, 
that  was  a  holy  and  joyful  resolution,  "  I  wiU 
mention  the  loving  kindnesses  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  praises  of  the  Lord,  according  to  all  that 
the  Lord  hath  bestowed  on  us,  and  tRe  great 
goodness  toward  the  house  of  Israel,  which  he 
hath  bestowed  on  them  according  to  his  mer- 
cies, and  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  lov 
ing  kiiidnesses."t 

*Roin.v.l,3.  tlsa.bdil7. 


94      '       LOOK  BACKWAED  AND  SING. 

EVENING. 
LOOK  BACKWARD  AND  SING. 


The  Lord  hath,  done  great  things  for  us." 

— PsA.  cxxvi.  3. 


Look  backward;  question  tlie  past  of  its 
mercies,  remember  tlie  miracles  of  grace, 
whereof  you  liave  already  partaken.  1.  There 
has  been  creating  love.  The  perfect  joy  of 
the  Godhead  was  complete  in  the  perfections 
of  the  Triune  Jehovah;  but  from  "the  exu- 
berance of  his  love  "  he  created  you  and  others 
to  share  his  eternal  felicity.  2.  There  is  re- 
deeming love :  such  an  infinite  mystery  of 
mercy  that  angels  cannot  fathom  it.  The  bar- 
rier of  sin  was  broken  down.  The  way  of 
access  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  by  the  com- 
munion of  the  Spirit  was  opened  unto  the 
Father.  3.  There  has  been  towards  joii  elect- 
ing and  saving  love.  I  speak  to  an  afflicted 
child  of  God.  Of  the  few  that  find  the  narrow 
way,  you  are  one.     There  are  many  of  higher 


LOOK  BACKWARD  AND   SING.  95 

rank  and  nobler  capacities  walking  the  broad 
road. 

"  Pause,  my  soul,  adore  and  wonder  1 
Ask,  '  Oh,  why  such  love  to  ine  V 
Grace  hath  put  me  in  the  number 
Of  tlie  Saviour's  family  : 
Ilallelujah  I  ihanks,  t-terual  thanks  to  thee  1" 

The  blessed  Spirit,  perhaps,  long  strove  with 
you  in  vain ;  you  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  every 
invitation ;  but  he  was  not  wearied.  At  length 
he  was  victorious.  Oh,  blessed  victory !  You 
were  brought  as  a  sinner  to  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  pardoned,  justified,  and  made  "a  new 
creature'''"*  in  Christ  Jesus.  What  mighty  is- 
sues hung  on  that  triumph  of  grace!  The 
world  indeed  frowned  and  was  angry,  and 
pointed  the  finger  of  scorn  at  the  new-born 
saint ;  hell  groaned  through  its  lowest  founda- 
tions, as  it  was  gloomily  whispered  there,  "  We 
have  lost  another  soul."  But  good  men  gave 
thanks  to  God;  and  the  angels  rejoiced, f  with 
songs  of  gratulation  on  this  new  accession  of 

*  2  Cor.  V.  17.    KTiGig.  f  Luke,  xv.  10. 


96  LOOK  BACKWARD  AND  SING. 

glorj ;  yea,  Jesus  liimseli  saw  of  "  the  travai] 
of  his  soul,  and  was  satisfied.."^ 

These  are  some  of  the  great  things  which 
God  "  hath  done"  for  you.  Do  not  all  our 
hearts  make  the  joyous  response,  "Whereof 
we  are  glad  ?" 

*  Isa.  liii  11, 


LOOK  AROUND  YOU  AND  SING. 

*'His  c.-.tnpassions  fail  not:   taey  are  new  every  morn- 
ing."—Lam.  iii.  22,  23. 

Think  not  tliat  jour  mercies  lie,  wliolly, 
either  in  the  past  or  the  future.  Look  around 
you.  Even  to  the  suffering  saint  the  present 
is  fragrant  with  love,  and  he  can  sing  in  the 
house  of  his  pilgrimage  : — 

"  The  hill  of  Zion  yields 

A  thousand  sacred  sweets. 
Before  we  reach  the  heavenly  fields, 
Or  walk  the  golden  streets." 

In  respect  of  earthly  things,  have  you  not, 
day  by  day,  food  and  raiment?  .This  was 
St.  Paul's  standard  of  sufficiency  and  content.* 
"What,"  said  the  poor  aged  saint  with  her 
crust  of  bread,  "  what  all  this,  and  Christ  be- 

*  1  Tim.  vi.  8. 
9 


98  LOOK  AROUND  YOU  AND  SING. 

sides  ?"  And  wlien  set  once  npon  the  task, 
the  ingenuity  of  a  grateful  heart  finds  manifold 
love-tokens,  besides  a  bare  subsistence;  the 
alleviations  of  medical  skill  in  suffering,  the 
affectionate  attendance  of  friends  who  are  near, 
the  prayerful  remembrance  of  those  far  away, 
the  welcome  ministrations  of  fellow-Christians, 
who  remember  the  words  "  sick,  and  ye  visited 
me."  These  things,  the  gifts  of  Jesus,  and 
Jesus  himself  beside !  For  the  gospel  treas- 
ures you  possess  are  not  only  the  title-deeds 
of  a  future  inheritance,  but  precious  and  present 
realities.  You  daily  feed  on  Christ  by  faith ; 
you  live  upon  his  dying  love  ;  you  now  lean 
upon  him  and  find  rest ;  you  look  to  him  and 
are  comforted.  Thus  it  was  that  the  prophet 
Jeremiah  in  this  piteous  lamentation,  broke 
out  into  praise ;  "  His  compassions  fail  not : 
they  are  hew  every  morning."*  These  fresh 
unfailing  mercies  are  yours.  It  was  after  the 
patriarch  Jacob  had  seen  in  vision  the  close 
connection  betwixt  heaven  and  earth  that  ne 

*  Lam.  iii.  22,  23. 


LOOK  FORWARD  AND  SING.  99 

prayed  that  vow  of  singular  sobriety  and  faith, 
**  K  God  will  be  with  me,  and  will  keep  me  in 
this  way  that  I  go,  and  will  give  me  bread  to 
eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on,  so  that  I  come 
again  to  my  father's  house  in  peace  ;  then  shall 
the  Lord  be  my  God."*  The  Christian  needs 
no  more,  if  only  he  have  God  for  his  Friend, 
a  sufficiency  for  his  wants,  and  a  safe  arrival 
at  his  Father's  house  in  peace. 


EVENING. 

LOOK  FOEWARD  AND  SING. 

**  Thou  Shalt  see  greater  things  than  these." — John,  i.  50. 

We  dare  not  forget  the  present  loving-kind- 
nesses of  our  journey,  but  neither  can  we  con- 
sent to  shut  out  the  bright  light  that  beams 
upon  us  from  our  future  home.  "  Our  hght 
affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh 
for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 

*  Gea  xxviii.  20,  21. 


100  LOOK  FORWARD  AND   SING. 

of  glory;  wMle  we  look  not  at  the  tilings 
wbicli  are  seen,  but  at  tlie  things  which  are 
not  seen."*  On  this  passage  an  eminent  be- 
liever remarked :  "  You  must  keep  the  hook 
in  the  eye,  here ;  the  affliction  will  only  ap- 
pear light  and  momentary,  ivliile^  while^  while 
you  look  at  the  not  seen  eternal  things. "^  Look 
forward  then.  This  is  an  attainment  requiring 
daily  practice,  and  prayerful  skill.  For  if  we 
build  up  wild  and  iinwarranted  imaginations, 
they  will  vanish  under  the  sober  realities  of 
suffering  and  distress ;  yet,  on  the  other  hand, 
to  have  a  mere  confused  impression  of  glory, 
fails  to  supply  those  divine  prospects  of  bless- 
edness in  which  a  scriptural  faith  delights. 
The  notices  of  heavenly  joy  in  Holy  Writ  are 
i?ideed  scattered,  and  many  of  them  veiled  in 
emblems;  yet,  if  we  reverently  gather  these 
notices  together,  and  mark  the  mutual  relation 
they  bear,  and  ilkistrate  them  with  the  cor- 
responding mercies  of  time,  we  shall  find  we 
have  a  goodly  array  of  heavenlj'  data  where- 

*  2  Cor.  iv.  17,  18. 


LOOK  FORWARD  AND   SING.  101 

with  to  realize  the  glories  of  eternity.    Suffice 

it  for  the  present  to  say,  that  every  cloud  of 

grief,  however  brief  -the  shadow  it  casts,  will 

be  wanting  in  the  clear  firmament  of  heaven  ; 

and  that  every  ray  of  genuine  happiness,  which 

has  cheered  our  pathway  home,  will  be  found 

without  intermission  in  that  meridian  sunshine 

of  everlasting  light. 

o*  • 


JEWELS. 

"My jewels." — MaL.  iii.  17. 

There  is  mucli  in  the  natiire  and  history 
of  jewels,  that  strikingly  illustrates  the  char- 
acter of  the  Lord's  people.  (1.)  There  is  an 
intrinsic  difference  between  jewels  and  other 
common  stones.  Carve  and  polish  a  flint  as 
you  will,  you  can  never  make  it  a  jewel.  So 
is  it  with  the  Christian :  he  has  a  new  heavenly 
birth,  a  new  life,  one  with  Christ  and  Christ 
with  him,  created  anew  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  image  of  God.  It  is  no  partial  reforma- 
tion, hewing  off  here  and  there  a  glaring  sin, 
but  a  thorough  vital  change.*  (2.)  Jewels  are 
won  with  cost,  and  toil,  and  peril,  from  dark 
and  lonesome  mines,  or  as  pearls  from  the  bed 

*  See  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26. 


JEWELS.  103 

of  tlie  ocean.  '^  Ah,"  the  Christian  will  ex- 
claim, "  here  is  a  picture  of  my  case.  Words 
cannot  tell  the  blackness  of  my  own  heart  be- 
fore the  grace  of  God ;  and  the  ungodly  were 
my  chosen  companions.  Jesus  came  from 
heaven  to  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow,  and 
rescued  me  with  infinite  labor  and  cost ;  but 
oftentimes  with  deepest  humihation  '  do  I  look 
unto  the  rock  whence  I  was  hewn,  and  to  the 
hole  of  the  pit  whence  I  was  digged.'  "* 
(3.)  Jewels,  after  they  have  been  found  and 
won,  are  mostly  carried  many  hundred  miles 
over  stormy  seas  and  burning  sands.  Yery 
few  Christians  are  transplanted  to  heaven  at 
once ;  most  have  to  tread  a  long  pilgrimage, 
and  traverse  "the  waves  of  this  troublesome 
world."  (4.)  Jewels,  moreover,  have  to  un- 
dergo many  processes  before  they  are  fit  for 
setting  in  gold ;  they  are  carved,  and  ground, 
and  polished,  enduring  many  a  hard  blow, 
many  a  delicate  operation.  See  in  this  the 
preparing  of  the  Lord's  people  for  glory,  their 
*  Isa.  11 1. 


104  JEWELS. 

being  "  made  meet  to  be  partakers  of  tlie  in- 
heritance of  tlie  saints  in  liglit."*  (5.)  Jewels 
are  only  bougbt  with,  a  great  price.  I  need 
not  remind  you  "ye  were  redeemed  not  with 
corruptible  things,  but  with  the  precious  blood 
of  Christ."f  Oh,  if  earthly  treasures  had 
availed,  the  Lord  could  have  created  ten  thou- 
sand worlds  of  gold,  and  myriad  angels  would 
have  brought  the  riches  of  the  universe.  But 
"  it  cost  more  to  redeem  one  soul,  so  that  man 
must  let  this  alone  for  ever.":j: 

Yet  the  weakest  believer  may  swell  the 
joyous  acclamation,  "I  know  that  my  Ee- 
deemer  hveth."§ 


EVENING. 
JEWELS. 

"My  jewels." — Hal.  iii.  1"; 


"We  have  not  exhausted  this  simile   yet. 
For,  (6.)  jewels  are  prized  with  pecuhar  care, 

*   Col  i.  12.  f  1  Pet.i.  18,  19. 

X  See  Psa.  xlix.  8  (Prayer  Book  version).     §  Job,  xix.  25. 


JEWELS.  105 

and  guarded  witli  especial  vigilance.  I  once 
bad  a  diamond  necklace,  Avortli  many  thousand 
pounds,  placed  in  my  hands ;  but  the  cabinet 
from  whence  it  was  taken  was  locked  and 
double  locked.  There  are  two  ways  of  pre- 
serving treasures  from  enemies :  they  may  be 
hidden,  and  the  search  eluded ;  or  they  may 
be  guarded,  and  the  attack  defied.  Both 
images  are  used  of  Christians.  *'  Your  life  is 
hid  with  Christ  in  God."*  "  My  Father,  which 
gave  them  me,  is  greater  than  all ;  and  no  one 
is  able  to  pluck  them  out  of  my  Father's 
hand.''f  Nay,  such  is  the  exquisite  sensi- 
tiveness to  their  slightest  danger,  "  He  that 
toucheth  you  toucheth  the  apple  of  his  eye.":j: 
(7.)  Jewels  are  durable — ^they  do  not  decay 
with  time.  Counterfeit  jewels  may  look  well 
for  a  season,  but  they  will  not  wear;  for  the 
false  setting  gets  tarnished,  and  the  cheat  is 
exposed.  Christians,  like  their  crown,  will  be 
forever  "  incorruptible,  undefiled,"§  and  auia- 
ranthuie.  (8.)  Jewels  reflect  the  light,  and  shine 

*  Col.  iii.  3.       f  Jubn,  X.  29.       X  ^ec^i-  i'-  8-        §  1  Pet.  J.  4 


106  JEWELS. 

briglitest  in  the  clearest  sunshine :  whereas  a 
full  blaze  will  often  detect  counterfeit  stones. 
Believers  only  shine  as  Jesus  shines  on  them ; 
and  never  will  shine  so  brightly  as  in  that  city 
which  has  "  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the 
moon ;  for  the  glory  of  God  doth  lighten  it, 
and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof."* 

*  Rev.  xxi.  23. 


THE  JEWELS  COUNTED. 

"In  that  day  -when  I  make  up  my  jewels." — Mal.  iii.  17. 

Yes,  my  brotLer  or  sister  in  Clirist  Jesus, 
only  "  make  your  calling  and  election  sure,"* 
and  see  that  you  are  among  the  Lord's  jewels, 
and  you  mxay  well  endure  the  processes  of 
preparation ;  for  the  day  is  at  hand,  when  the 
Lord  will  make  up  his  jewels.  There  is  no 
interminable  delay  before  you;  but  a  day 
appointed  of  the  Father.  There  shall  not  be 
one  believer  left  out  or  behind ;  your  fellow- 
servants  and  your  brethren  must  be  fulfilled  :f 
the  Lord  makes  up  his  jewels.  There  shall  not 
be  one  unbeliever  admitted — he  only  makes 
up  jewels.  It  is  a  precious  thought  to  us  who 
have  lost  friends  in  Jesus,  that  they  are  not 

*  2  Pet.  i.  10.  \  Rev.  vi.  11. 


108  THE  JEWELS   COUNTED. 

perisliecl,*  but  only  set  a  little  time  before  us, 
"  as  the  stones  of  a  crown  "f  in  tlie  treasure- 
house  of  the  Eedeemer.  But  oh  blessed  day, 
v/hen  the  whole  company  of  the  redeemed 
"  shall  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy 
God.":}:  The  jewels  of  that  coronet  are  of 
various  characters,  as  diverse  in  form,  and 
colour,  and  brillianc}^,  as  the  diamond,  the 
ruby,  the  amethyst,  the  emerald,  and  the 
pearl.  They  were  collected  in  different  cen- 
turies, and  distant  countries,  but  are  noY/  com- 
pleted, and  brought  together ;  and  each,  like 
gems,  mutually  reflecting  the  rays  of  light, 
enhances  the  beauty  and  the  brightness  of  the 
other.  Oh,  how  rapturous  shall  the  shout  be 
at  Emmanuel's  coronation,  when 'the  voice  is 
heard  "  of  a  great  multitude,  as  the  voice  of 
many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  mighty  thun- 
derings,  saying,  Alleluia:  for  the  Lord  God 
omnipotent  reigneth  !"§ 

*  1  Cor.  XV.  18.  f  Zeck  ix.  16. 

±  Isa.  Ixii.  3.  b  Rev.  xix.  6. 


THE  JEWELS  CLAIMED.  109 

■  Oh  that  with  yonder  sacred  throng 

We  at  his  feet  may  fixU ; 
Join  iu  the  everlasting  song, 

And  crown  him  Lord  of  all." 


EVENING. 
THE  JEWELS   CLAIMED. 

•Ihey  shall  be    mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that 
day  -when  I  make  up  my  jewels." — Ma-l.  iii.  17. 

But,  does  any  suspicion  still  linger  on  onr 
minds,  whether  such  dark  hearts  as  ours  can 
ever  be  exalted  to  such  a  height  of  glory? 
Here  we  have  the  promise  of  the  King  himself 
to  acknowledge  them  in  that  day  for  his.  As 
Matthew  Henry  says,  "  Christians  were  in 
doubt  some  time,  whether  they  were  belong- 
ing to  God  or  no ;  but  the  matter  shall  then 
be  put  out  of  doubt :  God  himself  will  say  to 
them,  'You  are  mine.'"  Oh,  how  delightful 
will  that  confession  of  the  Son  of  man  be 
before  the  angels  of  God — "  Thou  art  mine."* 

*  Luke,  xii.  8. 
10 


110  THE  JEWELS  CLAIMED.. 

If  we  are  suddenly  brouglit  into  company 
of  far  higlier  rank  than  we  liave  been  used 
to  move  in,  liow  at  once  does  it  place  ns  at 
our  ease,  if  the  master  of  the  house  take  us  by 
the  hand  and  introduce  us  as  his  friend? 
And  the  Lord  of  hosts  will  say  of  his  jewels 
in  that  day,  "  They  are  mine.  Mine,  bought 
with  the  blood  of  Jesus;  mine,^the  world, 
and  sin,  and  Satan  have  no  longer  any  share 
in  the  believer's  thoughts ;  mine,  being  filled 
with  all  the  fulness  of  God ;  my  crown  of 
glory,  my  royal  diadem." 

With  the  assurance  of  a  place  in  such  a 
crown,  and  of  being  confessed  in  such  an 
assembly,  can  we  not,  fellow-Christians,  say 
with  the  psalmist,  come  what  will  or  what 
may,  "  Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous,  and 
gladness  for  the  upright  in  heart  ?"* 

*  Psa.  xcvii.  11. 


®tont.ti|-|.aurtlr    lUrning^ 

THE  WHEAT. 

''  He  "will  gather  his  wheat  into  the  garner." 

— Matt.  iii.  12. 

See,  blessed  believer,  liere  is  the  close  of  all 
thy  conflicts,  the  termination  of  all  thy  griefs. 
Then  shall  every  tear  be  dried,  every  sorrow 
soothed,  every  apprehension  hushed  upon  the 
bosom  of  thy  Saviour.  Be  it  that  your  faith 
is  feeble  ;  your  love  most  unworthy  of  him,  its 
glorious  object ;  3'our  hope  often  clouded  and 
dim ;  3-et  inasmuch  as  jom  are  among  his 
wheat,  you  wdll  be  gathered  into  his  garner. 
The  fan  is  in  Ms  hand — his  hand,  which  made 
the  world  and  all  things  therein — his  hand, 
which  upholds,  day  by  da}',  the  vast  machinery 
of  creation  ;  but  more  than  this,  his  hand,  my 
brother,  which  was  nailed  upon  the  cross  for 
3^ou  and  for  me,  and  which,  all  our  life  long, 


112  THE  WHEAF. 

was  extended,  imploring  us  to  come,  or  shel- 
tering us  when  we  had  come.  Think  you  he 
will  make  any  mistake  ?  What,  cast  away  as 
chaff  one  poor  sinner  who  has  clung  to  that 
hand  for  mercy,  and  sought  to  follow  its  guid- 
ing ?  Never !  What,  retain  as  wheat  one 
unconverted  soul  among  his  chosen  ones? 
Impossible !  The  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he 
will  gather  his  wheat  into  the  garner.  Ob- 
serve, moreover,  it  is  Ms  wheat.  In  the  next 
clause  it  is  the  chaff ;  but  it  is  his  wheat,  as  if 
to  remind  us,  "  Whosoever  shall  confess  me 
before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.""^  It  is  his  wheat, 
bought  with  his  ov/n  precious  blood,  the  fruit 
of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  the  gift  of  his 
heavenly  Father,  and  stamped  with  the  im- 
press of  his  Spirit.  Think  you  one  grain  of 
that  precious  wheat  shall  perish  ?  Never ! 
they  are  his.  Woe  be  to  him  who  would  de- 
prive the  Kedeemer  of  his  own.  No  one  can 
pluck  them  out  of  his  hand. 

*  Matt.  X.  32. 


THE   WHEAT  GATHERED.  113 

EVENING. 
THE  WHEAT  GATHERED. 

•  He  will  gather  his  wheat  into  the  garner." 

— Ma-TT.  iii.  12. 

Yes,  he  will  gather  them,  or  yet  more 
strongly  in  the  original  (au*'a|£<),  bring  to- 
gether, lead  together.  Blessed  assurance  I 
Now  the  children  of  God  are  "  scattered 
abroad;"  they  are  often  sej)arated ;  now  "the 
whole  family  "  is  part  in  heaven  and  ^^art  on 
earth.*  Some  few,  as  Enoch  and  Elijah,  have 
obtained  their  celestial  bodies ;  many  more  are 
awaiting  the  resurrection  morning,  in  the 
sejDarate  state  of  departed  spirits  ;  many  others 
are  fighting  their  way  Zionward  in  the  church 
militant  here  on  earth.  The  precious  grain, 
though  all  safe  in  the  strong  right  hand  of  the 
great  Husbandman,  is  far  asunder,  scattered, 
and  hidden  ;  but  then  he  will  gather  his  wheat 
into  the  garner.  All  shall  be  brought  together 
forever.     "  There  shall  be  one  fold  and  one 

*  Epb.  iii.  15. 
10* 


114  THE  WHEAT  GATHERED. 

Slieplierd."  There  will  be  no  difference  of 
opinion,  no  diversities  of  worship  then,  but  we 
shall  "  with  one  mind  and  one  mouth  glorify 
God,"*  and  sing,  on  harps  of  gold,  one  song  of 
eternal  hallelujah,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that 
was  slain."  They  are  gathered  into  the  garner. 
This  imphes  security  and  permanence.  While 
the  wheat  is  gTowing  in  the  field  it  is  exposed 
to  the  chilling  blight  or  the  scattering  storm, 
the  assault  of  the  insect,  or  the  hand  of  the 
passer-by.  But  when  once  in  the  garner  it  is 
safely  housed,  it  is  stored  for  the  Master's  use. 
And  when  once  your  Saviour  has  placed  you, 
harassed  brother,  in  those  mansions  of  his 
Father's  house,  you  need  fear  no  struggle,  no 
temptation,  no  traitorous  heart  within,  no  onset 
of  the  enemy  from  without.  ''So  shall  we 
ever  be  with  the  Lord."-!* 

*  Rom.  XV.  6,  t  1  Thess.  iy.  17. 


f  tonttg-|iftlr  D;0rning. 

THE  BELIEVER'S  INTERCOTJRSE. 

"Nevertheless  I  am  continually  with  thee:  thou  hast 
holden  me  by  ray  right  hand.  Thou  shalt  guide  me 
■with  thy  counsel,  and  after-ward  receive  me  to 
glory."— PsA.  Ixxiii.  23,  24. 

There  is  a  most  intimate  connection  be^ 
tween  these  two  verses.  There  is  some  danger 
of  Christians  desiring  to  enjoy  all  the  comfort 
of  the  latter  verse,  without  yielding  themselves 
to  the  instruction  of  the  former.  It  is  those 
who  are  continually  with  their  God,  those 
whom  he  holds  by  their  right  hand,  who  will 
have  the  blessed  assurance  that  he  is  guiding 
them  with  the  counsels  of  his  love  to  the  man- 
sions of  his  glory.  The  Psalm  was  written 
during  a  season  of  peculiar  trial  and  tempta- 
tion. Personal  afflictions  had  weighed  down 
the  spirit  of  the  psahnist,  for  "  all  the  day  long 


116       THE  believer's  intercouese. 

had  lie  been  plagued,  and  chastened  every 
morning."*  And  from  the  depth  of  his  own 
sorrow  he  looked  forth  upon  the  unbeheving 
world,  and,  lo !  thej  were  not  in  trouble,  nor 
plagued ;  they  prospered,  they  increased  in 
riches.  His  faith  quailed  at  the  comparison. 
The  children  were  straitened  and  crushed :  the 
rebels  were  enlarged  and  exalted.  But  wor- 
ship in  the  sanctuary  of  God  solved  all  his  per- 
plexities, as  it  so  often  has  done  those  of  other 
behevers,  and  enabled  him  to  read  the  things 
of  time  in  the  light  of  eternity.  There  and 
then  he  learned  to  prize  his  communion  with 
God  above  all  their  vain  prosperity.  "  Kever- 
theless,"  he  exclaims,  amid  the  distress  of  his 
chastened,  tempted  spirit,  "  I  am  continually 
with  thee ;"  though  once  far  off,  I  can  and  do 
draw  daily  nigh  by  the  blood  of  s]3rinkling.f 
The  ungodly  may  have  the  society  of  the  great 
ones  of  this  world,  and  unbroken  health,  and 
unruffled  spirits  therewithal ;  but  I  have  the 
society  of   the   King  of  kings,   and  though 

*  Psa.  Ixxiii.  li.  f  Eph.  ii.  13. 


THE   believer's  ASSURANCE.  117 

*' feeble  and  sore  broken"*  can  sit  at  Jesus' 
feet,  and  bear  bis  word.  Tbey  are  set  on 
bigb,  "  in  sbppery  places/'f  and  will  be  cast 
down  as  in  a  moment ;  whereas,  "  Tbou  bast 
bolden  me."  Though  perchance  now  I  walk 
through  the  valley  of  humiliation  and  tears, 
"  Thou  bast  bolden  me  by  my  right  hand." 


EVENING. 
THE  BELIEVER'S  ASSURANCE. 

*'  Thou  slialt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel,  and  afterawrd 

receive  me  to  glory."'— Psa.  Ixxiii.  24. 

Yes,  it  is  from  the  comm.union  we  enjoy  on 
earth  that  we  obtain  the  foretaste  and  antici- 
pation of  the  communion  we  shall  have  here- 
after. It  is  when  we  catch  the  whispers  of  his 
Spirit  saying,  ''  The  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth 
us  from  all  sin,"^:  that  we  can  realize  the  bliss 
of  being  "  presented  faultless  before  the  pres- 

*  rsa.  xxxviii.  8.         I  P=a.  UxLii.  18.         X  1  J^hn,  I  7. 


118 

ence  of  Ms  glory  with  exceeding  joy."*  It  is 
wlien  we  liear  his  voice,  "  Come  unto  me,  all 
ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  "f  that  we 
can  anticipate  the  welcome,  "  Come,  ye  blessed 
of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom.''^  It  is 
when  the  Comforter  takes  of  the  grace  and 
glory  of  Jesus,  and  shows  him  unto  us,§ 
"whom  having  not  seen,  we  love,"||  that  we 
have  a  foretaste  of  the  hour  when  our  eyes 
shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty.''^  And 
what  as  to  the  intervening  season,  the  journey 
betwixt  us  and  our  home,  the  little  while, 
which  to  love  seems  so  long,  ere  we  see  him  as 
he  is  ?  "Why,  as  to  this  we  gain  a  comfortable 
assurance — "  Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy 
counsel."  The  infinite  wisdom  of  the  Triune 
God  is  apphed  to  order  our  intermediate  path- 
way. There  is  not  one  step,  not  one  winding 
of  our  way,  not  one  incident  of  our  travel,  but 
each  is  foreseen  and  provided  for,  so  that  we 
can  say,  "  We  know  that  all  things  work  to- 

*  Jude,  24.  t  ^^att.  xi.  28.  X  ^^'^^^'  ^x^-  ^4. 

§  See  John,  xvi.  15.      i  1  Pet.  i.  8.  *1[  Isa.  xxxiii.  l*?. 


THE   BELIE VEll's  ASSURANCE.  119 

gether  for  good."*  Blessed  result  of  being 
continually  with  God  I  O  harassed  soldier, 
get  thee  to  thy  strong  habitation,  whereunto 
thou  mayest  continually  resort  ;t  and  thou  wilt 
find  "  the  Captain  of  thy  salvation  is  bringing 
thee  among  his  many  sons  unto  glory.":]: 

*  Rom.  viii.  28.  f  Psa.  Ixxi.  3.  t  H<^^-  ''-  20- 


THE   PRUNING    KNIFE. 

*' Every  Taranch.  that  ■beareth  fruit,  he    purgeth  it,  that 
itmaj"  bring  forth  moTe  fruit." — John,  xv.  2. 

You  have  seen  a  skilful  gardener  pruning 
a  vine ;  how  lie  disentangles  its  vagrant  ten- 
drils, wMch  were  clasping  unsuitable  supports  ; 
how  lie  cuts  off  its  superfluous  shoots,  which 
were  wasting  its  strength  in  their  wild  luxu- 
riance ;  how  tenderly  he  trains  the  fruit-bear- 
ing branches,  often  against  their  will,  that  they 
may  occupy  their  appointed  space,  and  bask  in 
the  warmest  sunshine.  A  heedless  spectator 
blames  the  merciless  severity  of  his  pruning- 
knife.  "My  friend,"  replies  the  gardener,  "I 
am  looking  to  the  autumn;  it  is  a  healthy 
plant;  it  will  soon  recover  its  shorn  appear- 
ance, and  all  its  strength  will  now  go  to  nourish 
and  mature  its  delicious  grapes.     Think  you 


THE   PRUNING   KNIFE.  121 

I  would  take  all  these  pains  with  a  wild  vine, 
or  a  sapless  graft  ?  Believe  me,  1  take  pecu- 
liar interest  in  that  tree,  and  expect  much 
praise  from  its  fruit." 

Yes,  suffering  child  of  God,  it  is  the  fruit- 
bearing  branches  which  Jesus  purges  and 
prunes :  the  unfruitful  ones  are  ^'  cast  forth  and 
withered."  Think  not,  because  of  the  keen- 
ness of  your  sorrows,  that  you  are  not  a  branch 
of  the  true  vine.  Every  living  bough  bears 
marks  of  the  knife.  Be  it  that  some  of  your 
dearest  hopes  have  been  broken,  and  the  af- 
fections you  had  twined  round  earthly  things 
disentangled;  be  it  that  your  health,  your 
wealth,  your  friends,  have  been  taken  away,  be 
it  that  you  are  taken  from  where  you  wished  to 
be,  and  constrained  to  occupy  an  irksome  po- 
sition— it  is  only  what  the  gardener  does  with 
his  favorite  plant.  Instead  of  struggling  with 
his  will,  yield  yourself  to  his  training ;  draw 
larger  supplies  from  the  life-giving  parent  stem ; 
bend  your  energies,  not  to  waywardness  of 
growth,  but  to  richness  of  fruit ;  and  in  the 
11 


122  MUCH  FEUIT. 

everlasting  summer  you  will  bless  tlie  liand 
tliat  ventured  to  apply  the  unflinching  severi- 
ties of  love. 


EVENING. 
MUCH    FRUIT. 


"Herein  is  my  Father   glorified,  that  ye   hear  much 
fruit." — John,  sv.  8. 

I  BELIEVE  there  is  no  Christian  who  might 
not  bring  forth  much  fruit;  nor  anyone  who 
ought  to  be  content  without.  Connect  this 
verse  with  the  13th  verse  of  the  previous 
chapter:  '^ Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my 
name,  that  will  I  do,  that  the  Father  may  be 
glorified  in  the  Son  ;"  that  is,  "  much  fruit,"  and 
prayer  granted  for  Jesus'  sake,  unite  in  one 
blessed,  eternal  result — the  glory  of  the  Father. 
Now,  the  chain  of  reasoning  is  the  most  sim- 
ple and  conclusive  imaginable.  Much  glory  to 
God  results  from  much  fruit  in  liis  children. 


MUCH  FEUIT.  123 

Much  fruit  requires  mucli  grace  from  Jesus, 
for  "he  that  abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the 
same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit ;  for  without 
me  je  can  do  nothing."^  Much  grace  is  the 
pledged  answer  to  much  i^rayer ;  ''  Whatsoever 
ye  shall  ask;"  there  are  a  thousand  requisites, 
bring  every  one  to  the  throne  of  grace.  Lastly, 
much  prayer  is  the  link  of  the  chain  that  touches 
us.  "  Duties  are  ours,  events  are  God's."  This 
is  our  blessed  duty.  We  know  not,  indeed, 
"what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought ;"f 
but  he  will  put  upon  us  "  the  Spirit  of  grace 
and  of  supplications,":]:  who  helpeth  our  infirm- 
ities. 

Have  I  not  proved  from  Scripture  that  there 
is  no  Christian  who  might  not  bring  forth 
much  fruit?  Oh,  behever,  make  this  case 
yours ;  be,  so  to  speak,  careless  of  everything 
else,  if  only  you  may  bring  forth  much  fruit. 
Think  not  it  springs  from  active  service  only. 
Ah,  many  a  rich  cluster  of  grapes  has  ripened 
on  the  bed  of  afliiction.     Ere  long  the  hea- 

*  John,  XV.  5.  f  Eom.  viii.  26.  J  Zech.  xiL  10. 


124  MUCH  FEUIT. 

venly  Husbandman  and  Bridegroom,  when  tis 
election  is  complete,  shall  say  with  exultation, 
"  My  wife  is  as  the  fruitful  vine  upon  the  walls 
of  mine  house."* 

*  Psa.  cxxviii.  S. 


®toni;tii-S^bnttIy   periling* 

WHAT  GRACE  HAS  DONE. 

'^  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  T  am." — 1  Cor.  xv.  10. 

Think  what  grace  did  for  St.  Paul.  Once 
lie  made  "  havock  of  the  church  ;"^  he  was  "  a 
blasphemer,  and  a  persecutor,  and  injurious  ;"f 
yea,  in  wounding  his  disciples,  he  wounded 
and  persecuted  Christ  himself.  All  his  noble 
talents  were  leagued  on  the  side  of  Satan  ;  his 
deep  learning,  his  fearless  intrepidity,  his  en- 
thusiastic zeal,  all  the  powers  of  that  ^'myriad- 
minded"  man,  were  confederate  against  his 
God  and  Saviour.  His  early  prejudices,  his 
present  plans,  his  future  hopes,  were  as  walls 
and  bulwarks  around  his  unbelief.  But  then, 
grace  came,  omnipotent  grace;  and  the  ram- 
parts of  that  great  soul  fell  like  the  walls  of 

*  Acts,  viii.  3.  \1  Tim.  i.  13 

11* 


126  WHAT  GRACE   HAS  DONE. 

Jericlio;  the  impregnable  citadel  was  carried 
in  an  lioiir,  and  all  its  ample  magazines  were 
redeemed  for  tlie  service  of  tlie  Lord.  Hence- 
forth lie  lived  for  Christ.  One  thing  he  did, 
he  pressed  towards  the  mark;  he  seemed  to 
claim  and  desire  no  time,  no  cessation,  no  re- 
pose for  himself;  Christ  was  his  all  and  in  all, 
the  salvation  of  souls  his  one  master  passion. 
How  cheerfully  does  he  buffet  the  waves  of 
affliction,  while  he  keeps  his  eye  on  the  firm 
shore  of  eternity,  near  at  hand.  Death  was  no 
gloomy  subject  to  him,  for  he  desired  to  depart 
and  be  with  Christ ;  and  yet  life  was  full  of 
momentous  interests,  for  every  day  bore  the 
rich  fruit  of  his  labors  to  the  glory  of  his 
Master. 

Behold  the  work  of  grace  !  free,  unbought, 
unmerited,  unlimited  gTace  I  Boasting  was 
excluded.  It  was  all  grace  from  the  founda- 
tion to  the  top-stone;  but  how  glorious  the 
work  when  finished !  how  was  Jesus  magni- 
fied in  him !  What  multitudes  may  trace  to 
his  instrumentahty  their  everlasting  fehcity. 


WHAT  GRACE  CAN  DO.  127 

Truly  "  the  grace  bestowed  upon  him  was  not 
in  vain."^ 


EVENING. 

WHAT  GRACE  CAN  DO. 

"Ye  all  are  partakers  of  my  grace." — Phil.  i.    7. 

"We  have  seen  what  grace  did  for  St.  Paul. 
Believer,  you  are  a  partaker  of  the  same  grace, 
and  according  to  your  measure  that  grace  can 
enable  you  to  bring  forth  the  same  fruits. 
Were  you  in  any  way  dependent  upon  your- 
self, it  would  be  presumption  to  expect  such  a 
high  standard  of  holiness  and  usefulness  ;  but 
remember,  it  is  grace,  all  grace.  You  are  not 
magnifying  self,  but  Christ :  you  are  not  glori- 
fying your  abihty,  but  God's.  Call  yourself  by 
what  name  you  will  expressive  of  strengthless- 
ness  and  worthlessness — say  you  are  "  foolish, 
weak,  base,  despised,  "f  yea,  not  worthy  the 
name  of  an  instrument  in  God's  hand  at  all, 

*  1  Cor.  XT.  10.  f  1  Cor.  i.  26,  28 


128  WHAT  GRACE   CAN  DO. 

**  a  thing  that  is  not " — still  these  are  the  very 
things  which  God  hath  chosen  to  confound 
the  wise,  the  mighty,  the  noble  of  this  world. 
These  are  his  choice  instruments,  "that  no 
flesh  should  glorj  in  his  presence."*  Ee- 
member  the  victory  in  the  valley  of  Kamath- 
lehi.f  Who  would  think  of  ascribing  the 
triumph  to  the  base,  insignificant  instrument  ? 
And  if  the  jawbone  of  an  ass  in  the  strong 
grasp  of  a  Samson  could  perform  such  pro- 
digies, why  should  you,  who  are  upheld  by 
the  arm  of  Omnipotence,  grow  faint-hearted  in 
the  heavenly  warfare  ?  Grace  enabled  St. 
Paul  even  "to  glory  in  infirmities,  that  the 
power  of  Christ  might  rest  upon  him  f^  to 
sing  at  midnight  in  the  inner  prison  ;§  to  bo 
willing  to  die  at  Jerusalem,  "  not  counting  his 
life  dear  unto  him,  so  that  he  might  finish  his 
course  with  joy."||  Blessed  believer,  there  is 
the  same  grace  for  you. 

*  1  Cor.  i.  29.  f  Judges  xv.  14,  IT. 

t  2  Cor.  xii.  9.  §  Acts,  xvi.  25. 

Acts,  XX,  24;  xxi.  13. 


®tonttii-(giglrtlr   l);0rnittg, 

THE  LEADING  APAKT. 

"Jesus  leadeth  them  up  into  an  high  mountain  apart  by 
themselves  " — Mare,  ix.  il. 

Those  who  liacl  heard  the  weighty  com- 
mission given  to  the  disciples,  "Go  to  the 
lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel ;  preach 
(as  je  go) ;  heal  the  sick,  raise  the  dead,  cast 
out  devils;"*  or  those  who  had  seen  them 
diligently  and  successfully  engaged  in  their 
ministry  of  mercy,  might,  with  some  show  of 
reason,  have  asked,  "  Why  are  these  men 
called  away  from  their  holy  and  momentous 
work  ?  The  time  is  short ;  while  they  are 
absent,  the  sick  may  die  and  souls  may 
perish."  But  we  may  rest  assured  the  Lord 
knew  what  he  was  about,  when  he  led  his 
three  chosen  disciples  into  an  high  mountain 

*  Matt.  X.  6-8. 


130  THE  LEADING  APAET. 

apart  by  themselves ;  that  not  one  sonl  was 
damaged,  but  multitudes  eternally  blessed  by 
their  temporary  seclusion.  He  was  about  to 
manifest  himself  unto  them  in  his  transfigura- 
tion glory  as  he  did  not  imto  the  world.  How 
confidently  do  the  apostles  hereafter  appeal  to 
this  as  the  most  irresistible  evidence  of  his 
Divinity.  "  We  beheld  his  glory,"  writes  St. 
John,  ''  the  glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of 
the  Father,"^  and  referring  to  this  hour  St. 
Peter  adds,  "  We  were  eye-witnesses  of  his 
majesty."f 

Christian  sufierer,  you  may  have  been  called 
from  some  station  of  eminent  usefulness  to  lie 
upon  the  bed  of  weakness  and  solitude ;  and 
may  easily  perplex  your  spirit  by  asking, 
"  Who  will  carry  forward  my  spiritual  work  ? 
will  it  not  suffer  from  my  absence?  shall  I 
ever  recover  the  vantage-ground  I  now  am 
losing?"  Only  believe  that  Jesus  is  leading 
you  by  the  hand,  only  seek  to  gain  clearer 
views  of  his  glory,  only  commit  your  work  to 

*  Jolm,  i.  14.  f  2  Pet.  i.  16. 


GOODLY  RETIREMENT.  131 

him  to  "wliom  you  have  committed  your  soul ; 
and  your  future  usefulness  shall  evidence, ''  He 
hath  done  all  things  well." 


EVENING. 
GOODLY  RETIREMENT. 

"Master,  it  is  good  for  us  to  "be  here." — IdARk,  ix.  5, 

Good  indeed ;  they  had  left  the  toil  and 
trouble  of  the  world  below ;  they  had  escaped 
the  ignorance  and  increduhty  of  man ;  they 
were  with  Jesus,  and  with  him  now  that 
somewhat  of  the  brightness  of  his  glory  shone 
through  the  tabernacle  of  his  humanity ;  they 
witnessed  how  departed  saints  were  not  lost 
but  only  withdrawn,  and  at  the  call  of  theis 
Master  would  quietly  and  quickly  reappear  on 
the  visible  stage  of  things ;  they  heard  the 
conversation  which  they  held  with  the  Lord ; 
and  the  undefined,  half-conscious  impression 
of  intense  joy  found  utterance  in  these  words 
of  St.  Peter,  "Master,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here." 


132  GOODLY  RETIEEMENT. 

Believer,  have  jou  not  felt  like  emotions  at 
some  favored  hours  of  spiritual  experience? 
Perhaps  some  season  of  silent  communion  with 
jour  God,  some  occasion  of  holj  intercourse 
with  your  brethren,  some  heavenly  fellowship 
at  the  table  of  your  Lord  ;  some  sabbath  even- 
ing, when  the  continual  play  of  sabbath  in-^ 
fluences  upon  the  mind  throughout  the  day 
has  filled  you  mth  that  holy  "peace  which 
passeth  all  understanding  " — at  such  times  have 
you  not  been  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Master,  it  is 
good  for  us  to  be  here,"  and  fain  never  more  to 
descend  to  the  stress  and  the  struggle  of  life  ? 
Yet  consider,  if  the  apostles'  course  had  termi- 
nated on  the  mount  of  transfiguration,  what 
disastrous  consequences,  speaking  after  the 
manner  of  men,  would  have  ensued  for  earth ; 
what  a  diminished  harvest  of  glory,  for  them- 
selves. Be  content,  believer,  to  climb  or  to 
descend  the  mountain  as  your  master  wills ;  at 
no  distant  day  thou  shalt  hear  the  final  call, 
*'  Come  up  hither,"  and  find  not  tabernacles 
but  mansions  prepared. 


THE  FRIENDLY  TEMPEST. 

"  Stormy  -wind  fulfilling  his  word." — Psa.  cxlviii.  8. 

It  is  easy  for  uSj  wlien  tlie  soutli  wind 
blows  softly,  when  "  tlie  flowers  appear  on 
the  earth,  and  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard 
in  our  land,"*  when  we  are  led  on  in  green 
pastures  and  by  the  waters  of  comfort,  to  con- 
fess the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  and  acknowl- 
edge how  tenderly  and  wisely  he  is  guiding 
us  homeward.  The  confession  is,  indeed, 
most  true,  and  the  Lord  dehghts  in  such 
grateful  praises  of  his  happy,  peaceful  chil- 
dren. Still  it  is  an  easy  lesson  from  faith's 
primer ;  we  can  soon  read  it  fluently ;  but 
there  are  more  obscure  passages  in  God's 
providence,  which  even  advanced  Christians 

*  Songs,  ii.  12. 
12 


134  THE  FRIENDLY  TEMPEST. 

often  onlj  spell  out  with  difficulty.  When 
the  heaven  grows  black  with  clouds  and 
wind,  Avhen  the  roll  of  the  thunder  seems 
nearer  every  peal,  and  the  lightnings  more 
vivid  every  flash,  when  the  storm  falls  upon 
us,  and  the  waves  rage  horribly  on  every  side, 
— then  to  look  confidingly  upward  and  say, 
"  The  stormy  wind  fulfilleth  his  word  ;''  ''  The 
Lord  hath  his  way  in  the  whirlwind  and  in  the 
storm,  and  the  clouds  are  the  dust  of  his  feet :'"" 
this  is  the  factory  of  faith."  This  eminently 
honors  God,  and  enables  us,  ( as  scientific 
men  have  recently  discovered  the  law  of 
storms,  and  can  now  use  these  once  dreaded 
hurricanes  to  further  their  onward  voyage,) 
with  the  heavenly  science  of  faith,  to  rejoice 
in  the  tempest  of  tribulation,  and  employ  its 
tumultuous  blasts  to  hasten  our  heavenward 
journey. 

*  Nahum,  i.  3, 


THE   DESIRED  HAVEISr.  135 

EVENING. 

THE  DESIRED    HAVEN 

"  So  he  bringeth.  them  unto  their  desired  haven." 
— PsA..  cvii.  bv. 

May  we  not  apply  that  little  word  so  to  the 
terrific  storm  that  had  been  before  described, 
as  Avell  as  to  the  blessed  calm  which  succeeded 
it  ?  For  the  tempest  is  expressly  declared  to 
be  one  of  the  works  of  the  Lord,  one  of  his 
wonders  in  the  deep  ;  then  he  calms  the  storm, 
and  so  he  brings  them  to  the  haven  where  they 
would  be.  If  we  may,  this  would  make  the 
word  deeply  significant  and  emphatic.  The 
command  given,  the  raising  of  the  stormy 
wind,  the  lifting  iip  of  the  waves,  the  mariners 
mounting  to  heaven,  and  going  down  again  to 
the  depths,  their  soul  melting  because  of  their 
trouble,  their  reeling  to  and  fro,  and  staggering 
on  the  billows,  until  the  prayer  of  anguish  is 
wrung  from  their  liearts,  and  ascends  in  strong 
crying  to  God — all  these,  as  well  as  the  quiet 


136  THE   DESIKED   HAVEN. 

calm  that  follows,  would  go  to  make  up  that 
"  so ;"  they  were  all  steps  in  the  infinite  wis- 
dom of  that  course  whereby  he  brings  them  to 
their  desired  haven.  There  is  peculiar  force 
in  that  expression,  '^  their  desired  haven."  I 
have  seen  many  ships  in  stress  of  weather 
gladly  put  into  a  harbor  of  refuge ;  but  oh,  it 
was  not  their  desired  haven ;  they  were  all  anx- 
iety for  the  wind  to  change  and  the  weather  to 
moderate,  that  they  might  steer  again  to  their 
destined  port:  they  have  been  driven  back 
again  and  again  to  this  way-side  shelter,  but 
never  dreamed  for  a  moment  of  making  it  a 
substitute  for  their  far-off  home:  they  were 
bound  for  another  haven,  and  thither  they  must 
go. 

Tempest-tossed  believer,  hold  on  thy  way, 
enjoy  gratefully  such  shelter  as  the  Lord  allows 
thee  ;  but  think  not  to  find  thy  rest,  till  thou 
canst  anchor  in  the  desired  haven  of  glory. 


MEKCY,  NOT  SACRIFICE. 

"  I  will  hsLX  e  mercy,  and  noc  sacrifice." — Matt.  ix.  13. 

There  are  two  diverse  temptations  tliat  as- 
sail the  soul  from  opposite  quarters :  one,  per- 
haps, the  most  frequent,  that  of  self-indulg- 
ence ;  so  sparing  ourselves,  our  strength,  our 
time,  our  money,  that  we  offer  to  the  Lord  that 
which  will  cost  us  little  or  nothing  :  the  other, 
and  that  no  unusual  one,  impetuous  self-sacri- 
fice ;  so  not  sparing  ourselves,  that  we  exhaust 
our  talents  prematurely,  and  appear  as  if  we 
thought  our  work  and  labors  indispensable. 
This,  too,  is  a  temptation  from  the  evil  one. 
There  may  be  occasions,  doubtless,  when  upon 
a  clear  call  of  duty,  like  the  Macedonians,  we 
must  be  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  "  to  our 
12* 


188 

power,  yea,  and  beyond  our  power  ;"*  wlien, 
like  Epapliroditus,  "  for  tlie  work  of  Christ"  we 
must  not  regard  our  life  ;f  when  "  we  ought 
to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the  brethren  ;''J  and 
like  St.  Paul,  be  "ready  not  to  be  bound  only, 
but  also  to  die  for  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus."§  But  there  are  also  occasions  when 
the  Lord  as  plainly  says,  "  Come  ye  yourselves 
apart  into  a  desert  place,  and  rest  awhile  ;"|| 
when  he  says,  *'  Your  strength  is  to  sit  still.  .  .  . 
In  returning  and  rest  shall  ye  be  saved  ;"T" 
when  his  providences  charge  us,  "  Be  still,  and 
know  that  I  am  God.'*"^"^  The  feeling  naturally 
rises,  "  I  must  work,  I  cannot  give  up  ;  I  will 
sacrifice  health,  and  wealth,  and  everything  to 
continue  in  active  service."  My  brother,  here 
3^ou  are  saying,  "  I  will  sacrifice  everything ;" 
the  Lord  replies,  "  I  Avill  have  merc}^,  and  not 
sacrifice."  The  will  of  God  and  yours  are 
opposed.      Can  there  be  a  moment's  question 

*  Cor.  viii.  3.  f  Phil.  ii.  30.  X  "^  John,  iii.  16. 

§  Acts,  xxi.  13.  II  Mark,  vi.  31.  fj"  Isa,  xxx.  1,  16. 

**  Psa.  xlvi.  10. 


THE   UNDEESTANDLNG  FRIEND.  139 

wliicli  should  give  way  ?  Jesus  has  taught 
you  when  he  prayed,  "  Nevertheless,  not  what 
I  will,  but  what  thou  wilt."* 


EVENING. 
THE  UNDERSTANDING  FRIEND. 

"For  he  knoweth  our  frame  ;  he  rememhereth  that  we 
are  dust." — Psa,  ciii.  14. 

The  same  principle  applies  to  a  Christian  in 
the  chamber  of  sickness.  He  is  shut  out  in- 
deed from  active  service,  so  far  he  is  compelled 
to  rest  on  his  arms ;  but  the  believer's  chief 
battle-field  is  within,  and  though  the  world  be 
excluded,  he  has  still  to  wage  daily  warfare 
with  the  flesh  and  the  devil.  In  this  warfare, 
"  the  Lord  will  have  mercy,  and  not  sacrifice." 
It  may  seem  a  trivial  remark,  but  I  believe 
many  are  tried  with  a  certain  conscientious 
scruple,  that  whatever  happens  they  will  not 
diminish  aught  from  their  religious  exercises ; 

*  Mark,  xiv.  36. 


140  THE   UNDERSTANDING  FRIEND. 

and  thus,  with  a  debilitated  body,  they  make 
a  weariness  of  that  whicH  in  liealtb.  would  be 
tlieir  comfort  and  refresliment.  But  he  know- 
eth  our  frame,  he  knoweth  what  we  have  need 
of  before  we  ask  him.  Watch  a  mother  as  she 
nurses  her  sick  child.  How  she  catches  the 
faintest  intimations  of  its  wants ;  and  broken 
whispers,  and  signs,  which  would  be  to  others 
unintelligible,  make  every  necessity  known  to 
here  wakeful  solicitude.  And  yet  hers  is  at 
best  but  imperfect  knowledge  and  imperfect 
love.  But  He  who  loves  us  infinitely,  knoweth 
our  frame,  and  remembers — ^for  he  deeply  ex- 
perienced our  susceptibility  of  suffering  and 
sorrow — ^he  remembers  that  we  are  dust. 


THE  QUIET  CONQUERORS. 

"Te  shall  not  need  to  fight  ia  this  hattle  ;  set  your- 
selves, stand  ye  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord  with  you." — 2  Chron.  xx.  17. 

TVhe:n"  an  afflicted  believer  considers  tlie 
number  and  malignity  of  liis  foes,  that  the 
world  around  him  is  one  vast  battle-field  of 
temptation,  that  his  traitorous  heart  within  is 
ever  ready  for  treachery,  that  "  he  wrestles  not 
against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  wicked 
spirits,"'^  whose  vigilance  detects  every  moment 
of  weakness,  and  whose  fiendish  hostility  never 
waits  till  he  has  recovered  his  strength  ;  when 
looking  at  himself  he  can  only  exclaim,  "I 
am  feeble  and  sore-broken;"  when,  again,  he 
remembers  his  Captain's  charge,  "Fight  the 
good  fight" — may  he  not  easily  be  cast  down 

*  Eph.  vi.  12. 


142  THE   QUIET  CONQUEROES. 

at  sucli  a  review,  and  say,  "  I  have  no  strength 
for  the  war,  the  burden  is  too  great  for  me  ?" 
Jehoshaphat's  victory  may  repel  every  fear ; 
Judah  won,  and  yet  fought  not.*  They  set 
themselves  in  battle  array,  they  sang  hallelujahs 
of  triumph,  they  were  all  ready  to  fight,  and 
yet  not  one  sword-stroke  was  needed,  not  one 
arrow  was  shot,  not  one  lance  was  flung.  Had 
they  tremblingly  kept  within  the  city  walls, 
or,  panic-stricken,  dispersed  to  their  homes, 
the  battle  would  never  have  been  won.  "  The 
battle  is  not  yours,"  exclaims  the  prophet, 
"but  God's;"  still  he  bids  them  take  the  field 
and  set  their  array.  Then  God  fought  for 
Israel. 

Christian  soldier,  only  see  to  it  that  you  are 
in  the  path  of  duty,  or  if  you  will,  upon  the 
bed  of  duty ;  and  though  too  ill  to  frame  a 
prayer,  or  wield,  as  j^ou  are  wont,  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  rest  assured  that  a  successful 
fight  is  waging,  that  God  has  undertaken  for 
yoUjf   and   that    even   now  you  are   among 

*  2  Chrou.  XX.  21,  22.  f  Isa.  xxxviii.  14. 


THE  REBUKED   FOE.  143 

tliose  who  "  arc  more  than  conquerors  through 
hun  that  loved  them."* 


EVENING. 
THE  REBUKED  FOE, 


*'  He  shall  not  come  into  this  city,  nor  shoot  an  arrov^ 
there  "—2  King?,  xisi.  32. 

Peculiarly  comforting  to  the  tempted  and 
tried  disciple  is  the  experience  of  Hezekiah, 
during  Sennacherib's  invasion.  Tliere  was 
such  an  overwhelming  multitude  of  foes,  they 
came  with  such  anticipations  of  triumph,  they 
pleaded  ^\dth  such  show  of  reason  their  past 
successes  f — they  even  arrogated  the  Divine 
commission  to  destroj^,:}:  and  promised  such 
seductive  allurements  if  Israel  would  only  sub- 
mit § — nothing  of  might,  nothing  of  subtlety 
seemed  wanting  to  make  their  onset  irresistible 
— ^yet  faith  stood  the  shock  ;  the  proud  waves 

*  Rom.  viii.  37.  f  2  Kiugs,  xviii.  33,  34. 

X  2  Kings,  xviii.  25.  §  2  Kings,  xviii.  32. 


144  THE   REBUKED  FOE. 

• 

of  ttat  invasion  broke  harmless  on  tlie  rock  of 
confidence  in  God,  How  much  wisdom  was 
there  in  the  king's  commandment,  "Answer 
him  not !  "  *  We  may  learn  much  from  it  for 
onr  heavenly  Avarfare.  Often  is  it  our  wisdom 
not  to  reason  with,  or  attempt  to  answer  the 
temptations  that  assail  our  faith.  Simply,  like 
Hezekiah,  carry  them  to  the  Lord  in  prayer ; 
spread  them  before  the  Lord.  If  we  argue 
the  suggestions  that  trouble  us,  argue  them  in 
prayer  before  the  mercy-seat,  we  shall  find, 
as  Hezekiah  did,  a  ready  answer  to  all  "  the 
bold,  but  baseless"  arguments  of  our  arch- 
enemy. And  while  we  are  praying,  our  prayer 
enters  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
and  he  sends  us,  not  as  of  old,  by  the  mouth 
of  his  prophet,  but  as  surely  by  the  pledge  of 
his  promises,  an  answer  of  peace  and  an  assur- 
ance of  salvation. 

*  2  Kings,  xviii.  36. 


LOOK  AND  LIVE. 

"Look  unto  me,  and  "be  ye  saved." — Isa    xIt-.  22. 

The  sight  of  Jesus  by  faith  is  the  beginning 
of  spiritual  life.  Wounded,  diseased,  dying, 
the  Israelites  lay  along  their  stricken  camp, 
when  the  joyful  proclamation  is  heard,  "  Make 
thee  a  fiery  serpent,  and  set  it  upon  a  pole : — 
every  one  that  is  bitten,  when  he  looketh  uj)on 
it,  shall  live.  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  if  a 
serpent  had  bitten  any  man,  when  he  beheld 
the  serpent  of  brass,  he  lived."*  Weary, 
woful,  withering  away  under  the  deadly  plague 
of  sin,  sinners  lie  in  earth's  vast  lazar-house, 
awaiting  death,  and  after  death  the  judgment. 
But  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel  are  pro- 
claimed in  that  abode  of  disease  and  death : 
^'Behold    the  Lamb   of   God,   which  taketh 

*  Numb.  xxi.  8,  9. 


146  LOOK  AND   LIVE. 

away  the  sin  of  tlie  world."^  And  it  comes 
to  pass,  every  one  when  he  looketh  upon  him 
lives.  There  is  that  in  the  sight  of  a  crucified 
Saviour,  brought  home  to  the  heart  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  which  conveys  life  to  the  dying 
souL  The  sinner's  guilt  transferred  to  Jesus, 
there  cancelled  and  forever  blotted  out;  the 
Saviour's  goodness  transferred  to  the  sinner, 
laid  upon  him,  clothing  him  forever.  Oh, 
blessed  transference !  Henceforth  the  sinner 
lives.     He  looks,  believes,  lives,  and  loves. 

Suffering  Christian,  your  affliction  may  pre- 
vent any  close  and  intimate  reasoning,  and 
physical  weakness  may  baffle  you  when  you 
assay  any  deep  meditations :  how  precious 
then  to  you  the  unparalleled  simplicity  of  the 
gospel  plan !  Christ  died  for  you,  the  Just  for 
the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  you  to  God. 
"  We  care"  for  no  knowledge  in  the  world  but 
this,"  ^Tites  the  learned  and  clear-sighted 
Hooker,  "  that  man  hath  sinned  and  God  Lath 
suffered."     All  his  learning  exhausted  not  this 

*  John,  i.  29. 


KUN,   LOOKING.  147 

blessed,  simple  triitli.  This  at  least  you  know 
and  understand.  Amidst  the  shipwreck  of 
health,  and  strength,  and  intellectual  powers, 
and  earthly  hopes,  cling  to  this  plank — the 
most  learned  and  noble  are  saved  by  no  other 
— ^it  will  bear  you  safely  to  glory. 


EVENING. 
RUN,   LOOKING. 

*' Run     .     .     looking  UDto  Jesus." — Heb,  sii.  1,  2. 

Not  only  is  the  sight  of  Jesus  the  beginning 
of  our  spiritual  life,  it  is  also  its  continuation. 
Like  Moses,  we  only  endure  "  as  seeing  Him 
who  is  invisible."*  Like  Peter,  we  can  only 
walk  upon  the  waves  of  this  troublesome  world 
^^'hile  we  look  at  Jesus :  as  soon  as  we  begin  to 
look  at  the  boisterous  waves  and  winds,  we 
shall  begin  to  sink.  The  word  in  the  original  f 
for  looking  unto  Jesus  is   peculiarly  full   of 

*  Heb.  3d.  2*7.  t  ^(^opuvTeg. 


148 

meaning — ^it  is  "looking  off  unto  Jesus."  As 
the  racer  looked  not  at  the  wayside  objects, 
but  kept  his  eye  upon  the  laurel  wreath  at  the 
distant  goal,  so  let  the  believer,  looking  off  the 
enticing  pomps  and  pleasures  of  this  wicked 
world,  looking  off  the  troubles  and  trials 
which  may  so  easily  perplex  him  with  un- 
beheving  fears,  look  stedfastly  at  Jesus,  the 
author  and  finisher  of  his  faith.  So  running 
he  shall  obtain. 


A  CLEARER  SIGHT. 

**  Absent  from  the  "bodv, — x:ireseQt  with  the  Lord."— 
2  Cor    v.  8. 

The  .sight  of  Jesus  slieds  a  glow  and  a 
brightness  over  the  gloomy  hour  of  death. 
He  will  be  with  us  through  all  the  dark 
valley,  so  that,  as  M'Cheyne  says,  "  The 
valley  shall  be  filled  with  light."  He  will 
meet  us  on  the  other  side.  If  death  overtake 
us  before  the  coming  of  our  Lord,  as  soon  as 
we  close  our  eyes  on  the  things  of  earth,  we 
shall  open  them  upon  Jesus.  "  Absent  from 
the  body, — ^present  with  the  Lord";  there  is 
no  interval  of  dreary  separation,  but  as  soon 
as  the  disembodied  spirit  enters  the  unseen 
world,  it  is  with  Jesus.  "  When  thou  passest 
through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee;"* 

*  Isa.  xliii.  2. 
13* 


150  A  CLEARER  SIGHT. 

and  the  same  hand  that  invisibly  bore  us 
through  the  rivers,  shall  visibly  greet  ns  to 
the  shore  of  glory.  This  made  St.  Paul  desire 
'•to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ,  which,"  he 
assures  us,  "is  far  better.""^  And  though  we 
have  not  much  in  Scripture  revealed  concern- 
ing the  state  of  departed  spirits  before  the 
resurrection,  it  is  evidently,  from  this  passage, 
one  of  closer,  fuller,  more  conscious,  more 
present,  and  more  visible  communion  with 
Christ  than  we  can  enjoy  on  earth.  It  is, 
indeed,  an  imperfect  state  individually,  as  St. 
Paul  implies,  when  he  says,  "  Kot  for  that 
we  would  be  unclothed,"  while  our  body  re- 
mains death's  trophy  in  the  grave  ;  and  imper- 
fect socially,  for  "they  without  us  shall  not 
be  made  perfect "  f  while  part  of  the  host  is 
militant  here  on  earth.  Still  it  is  a  mighty 
advance  on  our  present  condition :  it  is  "sleep- 
ing in  Jesus."  What  calm,  unspeakable  rest 
is  imphed  in  these  words  I  And  what  a  rest- 
ing-place !     See  a  weeping,  weary  child  hushed 

*  Phil  i.  33.  t  Heb.  xi.  40. 


PERFECT   SIGHT,  151 

to  sleep    upon    its   mother's  bosom.      Faint 
image  of  the  emancipated  soul. 

Afflicted  saint,  is  death  in  prospect  ?  Care 
not  to  think  of  its  physical  terrors,  the  needful 
strength  will  be  given  for  "  the  time  of  need  ;" 
but  famiharize  this  aspect  of  it  to  your  mind, 
it  is  to  be  '' present  with  the  Lord,"  "to  be 
with  Christ,"  *'  to  sleep  in  Jesus ;"  when  the 
struggle  shall  be  forever  ended,  and  the  voice 
of  the  tempter  forever  stille'd.  Is  it  not  "  far 
better?" 


EVENING, 

PERFECT  SIGHT. 


'♦When  he    shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  him  ;  for  we 
shall  see  him.  as  he  is." — 1  John,  iii.  2. 

But  though  far  better,  it  is  not  the  best  of 
all :  that,  remaineth  for  the  time  when  "  the 
Lord  himself  shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a 
shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and 


152  PERFECT  SIGHT. 

with  tlie  trump  of  God,  and  the  dead  in  Christ 
shall  rise  first :"  and  "  we  which  are  alive  and 
remain  shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them 
in  the  clouds  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and 
so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord."*  Then 
shall  we  be  satisfied,  when  we  awake  up  after 
his  likeness  ;f  when  this  natural  body,  sown 
in  corruption,  in  dishonor,  in  weakness,  in 
mortality,  is  raised  a  spiritual  body,  in  incor- 
ruption,  in  glory,  in  power,  in  immortality  ;:j: 
when,  presented  "  faultless  before  the  presence 
of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy,"§  we  catch 
and  reflect,  even  as  a  pohshed  mirror,  "the 
cloudless  eJBPiilgence  of  his  love."  "  We  shall 
be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is." 
Can  words  be  stronger?  There  is  no  room 
for  imperfection  here— it  cannot  slide  in  be- 
tween the  Saviour  and  his  glorified  people. 
Perfect  holiness,  and  therefore  perfect  bliss. 
Never  shall  we  weary  of  that  contemplation. 
If  we  look  continuously  upon  a  work  of  human 

*  1  Thess.  iv.  16,  17.  f  Psa  xvii.  15. 

X  1  Cor.  XV.  42-44,  54.  §  Jude,  24. 


PERFECT   SIGHT.  153 

art,  however  exquisite  and  elaborate,  in  time 
we  exhaust  its  marvels  or  its  beauties,  and  we 
desire  something  new.  But  of  Jesus  it  is  writ- 
ten, "His  name  is  Wonderful  (or  Secret).""^ 
Whatever  attainment  in  knowledge  of  him  we 
acquire,  there  remains  an  infinite  fulness  yet 
unexplored.  And  throughout  eternity  will 
his  unfathomable  love,  and  wisdom,  and  glory, 
and  power,  combine  to  afford  a  never-ending 
feast  of  joy  to  his  blissful  and  adoring  people. 

*  Isa.  ix.  6      See  margiu  of  Judges,  xiii.  18. 


WHAT,  LORD? 

"Lord,  -what  -wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?" — Acts,  Ix.  6. 

How  mariY  of  our  perplexities  arise  from 
so  often  asking,  "Why,  Lord?"  instead  of 
"What,  Lord?"  Who  has  watched  children 
in  their  studies  or  their  play,  without  observ- 
ing how  frequently,  when  a  command  is  given, 
the  question  rises  to  their  lips,  "But  why, 
mother?"  A  wise  parent  will  by  no  means 
always  answer  this  inquisitive  "  why ;"  often 
her  only  reply  is,  "  Because  I  tell  you,  my 
child :"  for  thus  only  can  she  teach  implicit 
obedience.  Oh  that  we  remembered  the  les- 
sons of  our  childhood  in  the  heavenly  school- 
room. Oh  that,  when  we  heard  or  read  the 
directions  of  Scripture,  we  obeyed  with  child- 
like faith.     But  how  often,  instead  of  quieting 


READ  THE   SIGN-POSTS.  155 

our  souls  as  a  weaned  cliilcl,  do  we  exercise 
ourselves  in  matters  too  higli  for  us  f  and  then 
no  wonder  that  we  are  puzzled  and  baffled,  and 
have  to  confess  with  David,  "  As  for  me,  my 
feet  were  almost  gone;  my  steps  had  well 
nigh  slipped."  Words  cannot  tell  the  peace 
that  flows  from  receiving  with  unquestioning 
trust  the  precepts  and  and  promises  of  God's 
word.  Their  apparent  contrarieties  all  vanish 
when  received  on  trust  and  reduced  to  prac- 
tice. The  gospel  key  exactly  fits  the  intricate 
wards  of  man's  nature.  You  may  ask,  Why 
is  it  ?  how  can  it  be  ?  and  such  like  queries, 
for  years;  but  apply  it,  and  the  mystery  is 
solved  at  once. 


EVENING. 
BEAD  THE  SIGN-POSTS. 

'*I  -will  instruct  thee,  and  teach,  thee  in  the  way  -whicli 
thou  shalt  go." — Psa.  xxxii.  8. 

Would  that,  in  the  heavenly  pilgrimage,  we 
used  the  directions  of  the  Bible  as  travellers 

*  Psa.  cxxxi.  1,  L'. 


lo6  READ  THE  SIGIS^-POSTS. 

use  the  sign-posts  in  every  perplexity  of  their 
road  !  To  begin  with  the  very  beginning  of 
sjDiritual  life.  When  first  the  Spirit  of  God 
a^vakens  the  soul  to  see  its  lost  condition,  as 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  how  plain  the  in- 
vitation, ''  Gome  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and 
are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest."* 
How  clear  the  promise,  "  Him  that  cometh  to 
me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."f  Do  not  stand 
questioning,  but  come.  But  you  say,  "My 
heart  is  hard  "  ; — I  know  it — desperately  hard ; 
but  look  again,  "  He  (the  Comforter)  will  re- 
prove the  world  of  sin,":j:  and  "  How  mucb 
more  shall  your  heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him  ?"§  Do  not  stand 
questioning,  but  ask.  Convinced  of  sin,  and 
sorrowing  with  a  godly  sorrow,  you  cry,  "  O 
wretched  man  that  I  am;"  but  look  up,  "Be- 
hold the  Lamb  of  God,  whicb  taketh  away  the 
gins  of  the  world."||      Do  not  hang  your  head 

*  Matt.  xi.  28,  \  John,  vi.  3*7. 

X  Jolin,  xvi.  8.  §  Luke,  xi.  13, 

Ij  John,  i.  29. 


READ   THE   SIGN-POSTS.  157 

in  doubt,  but  gaze  with  weeping  eyes  upon 
your  dying,  crucified  Kedeemer.  You  ask 
again,  "  "Was  my  sin  laid  on  Lim? — ma}'  such 
as  I  hope  for  pardon  ?"  Search,  and  you  shall 
find,  "  Whosoever  belie vetli  in  him  shall  not 
perish  ;'■*  "  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely  :"t — do  not  linger,  but  take. 
Having  set  out  on  the  way,  you  are  assaulted 
with  unbelieving  fears  :  look  for  the  sign-post ; 
it  is  written,  "  If  any  man  will  do  his  will,  he 
shall  know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it  be  of 
God,":j:  Do  not  lose  the  precious  moments ; 
walk  earnestly  in  present  duties ;  knowledge 
and  assurance  shall  increase  every  step.  You 
are  weak — ^look  up  and  read,  "I  will  strengthen 
thee."§  You  are  perplexed — read  once  more, 
"  I  will  guide  thee."||  You  are  anxious  for 
the  future — ^but  he  promises,  "  I  will  never 
leave  thee."  You  are  bereaved — "  Sorrow  not 
as  others  which  have  no  hope  ;  for  them  that 
sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him."T" 

*  John,  iii.  16.         f  Rev.  xxii.  17.  %  John,  vii.l7. 

§  Isa.  xli.  10.  I   Psa.  xxxii.  8.  ^  1  Thess.  iv.  13,  14. 

14 


158  READ  THE   SIGN-POSTS. 

Look  thus  at  tlie  Bible  as  a  succession  of  sign- 
posts along  your  pilgTim  road ;  simply  trust 
and  obey,  you  will  soon  find  yourself  in  sight 
of  the  celestial  city. 


THE  MYSTERIOUS  FORWARD. 

'Wherefore  criest  thou  unto  me?  Speat  unto  the 
children  of  Israel,  that  they  go  forward." — Exod. 
xiv.  15. 

The  close  and  instructive  analogy  between 
Israel's  redemption  from  Egypt,  and  the  be- 
liever's redemption  from  tlie  bondage  of  sin, 
bas  often  been  observed ;  but  let  us  try  and 
draw  a  few  lessons  from  some  passages  in  their 
history  that  seem  especially  designed  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  afflicted  Christian.  What 
situation  can  be  imagined  more  apparently 
hopeless  than  theirs  immediately  after  their 
escape  from  slavery  ?  At  the  very  commence- 
ment of  their  journey,  when  their  faith  was 
yet  unconfirmed,  and  their  hearts  still  trembled 
with  the  thought  of  their  recent  oppression, 
they  were  brought  into  the  barren  wilderness, 
and  stopped  on  the  shores  of  an  impassable  sea. 


160  THE  MYSTERIOUS   FOEWARD. 

Tremblingly  tliey  looked  behind,  and  tliere  was 
tlie  cruel  Pharaoh,  in  the  pride  of  his  strength 
thirsting  to  lead  them  back  to  captivity.  Their 
leader  was  indeed  undaunted,  but  what  a 
strange,  inexplicable  command  he  gives  them 
from  the  Lord,  "  Go  forward  !"  Forward ! 
w^ere  they  not  on  the  furthest  verge  of  possi- 
bility ?  Forward !  what,  into  the  foaming 
waves,  into  the  depths  of  the  pathless  sea? 
Yes,  the  command  is  clear — "Speak  unto  the 
children  of  Israel,  that  they  go  forward." 
Their  extremity  was  God's  opportunity.  He 
shielded  them  from  danger  behind  ;*  he  open- 
ed a  way  before  them ;  and  the  waters,  which 
they  looked  upon  as  their  grave,  "  were  a  wall 
unto  then  on  their  right  hand,  and  on  their 
left  ;"f  and  soon  the  song  of  triumph  floated 
on  the  winds,  "  Sing  ye  to  the  Lord,  for  he 
hath  triumphed  gloriously.":]: 

Believer,  can  you  be  bestead  more  hardly 
than  Israel?  Is  perplexity  before  you  and 
fear  behind?      Still  go  forward.      Pray  on; 

*  Exod.  xiv.  19.         f  Exod.  xiv.  22.  X  Exod.  xv.  21, 


NO   WATER.  161 

hold  fast  by  Jesus  ;  do  tlie  duty  of  the  present 
hour ;  take  the  next  step  onward,  though  you 
"  walk  in  darkness  ;"*  only  "  go  forward,"  and 
ere  long  you  shall  cheerfully  sing  with  your 
fellow-travellers — 

"  From  Egypt  lately  come, 

Where  death  and  darkness  reigtt, 
We  seek  our  new,  our  better  home, 
Where  we  our  rest  shall  gain. 
Hallelujah  1  we  are  on  our  way  to  God. 


EVENING 
NO  WATER. 


"There  was  no  water  for  the  people  to  drink;  where 
fore  the  people  did  chide  with  Moses." — ExoD. 
svii.  1,  2. 

Israel  would  have  been  well  content  to 
have  hngered  at  Elim,  where  there  "were 
twelve  wells  of  water,  and  three-score  and  ten 
palm-trees,  "t  ^e  read  nothing  about  their 
murmuring  there,  but  the  pillar  of  fire  and 
cloud  went  onwards ;  for  the  Lord  would  not 
have  them  stop  short  of  the  land  of  promise ; 

*  Isa.  L  10.  f  Exod.  xv.  27. 

14* 


162  NO  WATER. 

it  "Went  onwards  and  led  them  into  the  wilder- 
ness of  Sin.  There  poor  Israel's  faith  faltered 
and  failed.  They  miirmnred  for  bread,  but 
then  the  Lord  "rained  doAvn  manna  upon 
them,  and  gave  them  of  the  corn  of  heaven 
and  of  angels'  food."'^  But  the  pillar  of  fire 
and  cloud  went  onwards,  and  Israel  pitched  in 
Rephidim,  There  was  no  water  to  drink,  and 
again  their  faith  swerved  and  gave  way  under 
the  pressure  of  trial.  But  they  had  not  ex- 
hausted the  loving-kindness  of  their  God,  "  He 
opened  the  rock,  and  the  waters  gushed  out ; 
they  ran  in  the  dry  places  like  a  river."f 

"We  have  but  a  faint  conception  of  the  tor- 
ture of  thirst  in  eastern  lands,  or  should  -per- 
haps  frame  readier  excuses  for  ungrateful  Is- 
rael. But,  believer,  art  thou  repining  under 
spiritual  thirst?  oh,  cease  thy  chiding  and  thy 
murmurs,  and  betake  thee  to  thy  Rock  of  ages ; 
thence  gushes  the  eternal  well-spring  of  the 
water  of  life,  and  drinking  there  thou  shalt 
never  thirst  again. if 

*  Psa.  Ixxviii.  24,  25.        f  Psa.  cv.  41.         X  John,  iv.  14. 


®prti-Si^'tIr  Panting* 

AMALEK'S  ONSET  UPON  WEARY  ISRAEL. 

•'  Remem'ber  what  Amalek  did  unto  thee  ....  ho-w  he 
met  thee  by  the  way,  and  smobe  the  hindmost  of 
thee,  even  all  that  were  feeble  behind  thee,  when 
thou  wast  faint  and  weary." — Deut.  xxv.  17,  18. 

Many  a  Christian  has  been  most  sorely  as- 
saulted by  Satan  in  his  hours  of  greatest  phy- 
sical weakness,  and  at  such  times  has  been 
grievously  tempted  to  feel,  "  Surely  I  cannot 
truly  be  a  child  of  God,  or  he  would  not  suffer 
me  to  be  thus  smitten  when  least  able  to  bear 
it."  Let  Israel's  example  cheer  thee,  my 
struggling  fellow-pilgrim.  Amalek,  whom 
some  have  viewed  as  typical  of  Satan,  was 
permitted  to  smite  Israel  when  faint  and 
weary ;  yet  was  Israel  on  that  account  not  the 
chosen  people  of  God?  did  Israel  lose  the 
battle  ?  did  Israel  fail  of  the  promised  land  ? 


164       amalek's  onset  upon  Israel. 

And  let  Israel's  mode  of  warfare  with 
Araalek  instruct  thee.  ''  When  Moses  held 
up  his  hand,  Israel  prevailed,"*  and  when  his 
hands  were  heavy,  Aaron  and  Hnr  stayed 
them  np  until  the  going  down  of  the  sun. 
Gird  on  thy  weapon  of  "  all  prayer ;" 

"  For  Satan  trembles  when  be  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees  ;" 

and  when  thy  hands  are  feeble,  get  thy  breth- 
ren in  the  Lord  to  unite  with  thee,  or  unite 
for  thee  in  earnest  supphcation,  above  all 
remembering  how  thy  Advocate  with  the  Fa- 
ther ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  thee ; 
and  the  serried  ranks  of  hell,  like  those  of 
Amalek,  shall  be  discomfitedf  beneath  the  re- 
sistless edge  of  "  the  prayer  of  faith.":]:  Fight 
the  good  fight,  and  a  greater  than  Joshua,  the 
Captain  of  thy  salvation,  shall  lead  thee  safely 
into  "  a  better  country,  that  is,  an  heavenly."§ 

*Exod.  xvii.  11.  f  Exod.  xvii.  18. 

:J:James,  V.  15.  §Heb.  xi.  16. 


THE  CIRCUITOUS  ROUTE.  165 

EVENING. 

THE  CIRCUITOUS  ROUTE. 

"And  they  journeyed  frota  Mount  Hor  "by  the  way  of 
the  Red  Sea,  to  compass  the  land  of  Edom. :  and  the 
80ul  of  the  people  was  much  discouraged  because 
of  the  way." — Nuub.  xsi.  4. 

Few  tilings  are  more  irksome  to  an  impet- 
uous mind  than  being  constrained  to  take  a 
"wearisome  and  circuitous  route,  wken  an  ap- 
parently straight  and  easy  one  lies  open.  Such 
constraint  so  crosses  all  our  natural  self-wis- 
dom and  self-indulgence,  that  it  requires  pe- 
culiar grace  to  yield  cheerfully  to  this  provi- 
dential pressure.  And  at  no  time  is  the  lesson 
more  difficult  than  when  "sve  have  lately  been 
favored  and  cheered  by  spiritual  successes. 
Israel  had  recently  vanquished  Arad  the  Ca- 
naanite,  and  destroyed  his  cities ;  but  now,  in- 
stead of  being  led  straight  into  the  land  of 
promise,  they  were  told  to  compass  the  land  of 
Edom ;  and,  moreover,  they  found  no  bread 
except  the  manna.      Their  faith  again  failed 


166  THE  CIRCUITOUS  KOUTE. 

them.     The  J  ^' spake  against  Grod,  and  against 
Moses."* 

These  things  were  written  for  onr  example. 
Let  US  take  timely  warning  from  their  fall,  and 
draw  blessed  encouragement  from  their  after- 
historj.  At  length  Jordan  was  passed,  and 
Canaan  won.  Let  us  honor  the  -Lord  by  a 
cheerful  confession :  "  Thou  art  leading  me 
right,  though  leading  me  round;"  and  we  shall 
find  our  souls  thriving  under  the  "light  bread" 
of  heaven,  and  discover  unsuspected  springs 
of  consolation  in  the  rocky  wilderness. 

*  Numb.  xxi.  5. 


%YxxlU-Bt\it\xn  pining. 

THE  SWORD. 

"We  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God."— Acts,  xiv.  22. 

The  gate  of  the  kingdom,  as  it  appears  from 
this,  can  only  be  approached  by  the  pathway 
of  tribulation.  Some,  I  grant  you,  like  the 
dying  thief,  find  the  path  very  short ;  some 
have  a  lighter  cross  to  bear  than  others  ;  some 
seem  to  forget  their  cross  in  the  bright  antici- 
pations of  their  crown.  Yet  still  the  witness 
of  God  standeth  sure,  "  All  that  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution."*  How 
can  it  be  otherwise  ?  The  carnal  mind,  which 
is  enmity  against  God';  the  devil,  who  as  a 
strong  man  armed  keepeth  his  palace  ;  the 
world,  which  lieth  in  wickedness — are  all  well 
content  that  a  soul  should  be  unawakened,  un- 

*  2  Tim.  iii.  12. 


168  THE   SWOED. 

washed,  unsaved.  But  let  the  grace  of  God 
once  enter  that  soul,  and  a  new  principle  is 
implanted,  as  opposed  as  light  to  darkness. 
War  is  inevitable,  compromise  impossible. 
The  darkness  will  seek  to  quench  the  light, 
the  light  will  progressively  scatter  the  dark- 
ness. "Will  grace  find  a  single  natural  affec- 
tion untaint'ed?  will  grace  abet  any  Satanic 
scheme  ?  will  grace  patiently  endure  the  cor- 
rupting seductions  of  the  world  ?  There  must 
be  conflict — sharp,  painful,  decisive  conflict — 
till  the  soul,  delivered  from  this  present  evil 
world,  and  now  translated  into  the  kingdom 
of  grace,  is  brought  hereafter  into  the  kingdom 
of  glory.  There  the  struggle  ceases,  and  must 
cease.  When  the  child  of  light  enters  that 
world  of  everlasting  light,  he  will  need  no 
more  his  armour,  but  only  his  white  robe,  his 
palm,  and  his  harp. 


THE   PALM.  169 

EVENING. 
THE  PALM. 

"  Clothed  -TC-itb  Trhite  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands." 
—Ret,  vii.  9. 

The  blessed  multitude  here  described  were 
of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and 
tongues.  How  great  was  the  variety  of  tlieir 
calling  and  conversion  !  liow  manifold  tlie 
diversity  of  tlieir  spiritual  training  !  how  wide 
asunder  the  hours  and  the  accompaniments  of 
their  departure !  Some  were  called  in  the 
dewy  dawn,  some  in  the  noonday,  some  in  the 
t^vilight  evening  of  life ;  some  lived  in  outward 
prosperity,  and  battled  hard  with  inward  temp- 
tation ;  while  others,  calm  and  tranquil  within, 
endured  a  great  fight  of  afflictions  from  with- 
out. Some  sank  to  rest  embosomed  in  human 
affection,  others  died  girt  with  fire  at  the  stake ; 
some  were  summoned  home  from  squalid  pov- 
erty, while  another  forsook  an  earthly  palace 
for  a  heavenly ;  and  another  clomb  the  sky  with 
a  chariot  of  fire  and  horses  of  fire.     It  is  im- 


170  THE   PALM. 

possible  to  conceive  experiences  more  diversi- 
fied tlian  their  recorded  history  would  exhibit. 
Yet  two  characteristics  are  alike  in  all.  They 
are  all  white-robed,  all  palm -bearing.  They 
have  all  been  washed  in  blood  ;  they  have  all 
fought  a  good  fight,  and  won  a  goodly  victory. 
Or,  to  translate  it  into  apostolic  language,  they 
are  all  justified  and  all  sanctified.  And  sanc- 
tification  huplies  trial  and  triumph.  Who  re- 
pines, then,  that  he  is  constrained  to  wage  a 
daily  war?  None  but  soldiers  stand  before 
the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb,  —  white- 
robed,  palm-bearing  soldiers.  Doubt  not  the 
issue;  for  "in  all  these  things  we  are  more 
than  conquerors  through  Him  tliat  loved  us.""* 

*  Rom.  viii.  3'?. 


THY  HIDDEN  ONES. 

"They  have  consulted  against  thy  hidden  ones." — 
PsA.  Ixxxiii.  3. 

We  may  draw  sweet  and  almost  inexliaust- 
ible  instruction  from  the  names  given  to  the 
children  of  God  in  Scripture.     This  title  of 
the  Lord's  hidden  ones  is  fall  of  consolation. 
How  many  a  Lazarus  is  there  whom  the  world 
in  its  giddy  course  of  pride,  or  reclining  in  its 
purple  luxury,  disdains  to  feed  with  its  super- 
fluous crumbs!     And  at  times  the  poor  suf- 
ferer himself  may  make  his  moan,    "I  am 
forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out  of  mind."     It  is 
so  different  to  suffer  in  an  amphitheatre  of 
admiring  spectators,  and  to  languish  in  solitary 
grief,  unwitnessed  and  unknown.     Yet  is  this 
no  unfrequent  badge  of  discipleship.     The  ser- 


172  THY  HIDDEN  ONES. 

vant  is  not  greater  than  Ms  Lord.  He  was 
iespised  and  rejected  of  men.  "  Therefore  the 
world  knoweth  ns  not,  because  it  knew  him 
not."*  You  see  your  calHng  then,  concealed 
saint,  one  of  the  Lord's  hidden  ones, — hidden 
from  the  glare  and  glitter  of  the  world,  and 
the  pomps  and  passions  of  life :  hidden  in 
respect  of  your  tears  and  trials,  your  joys  and 
felicities :  hidden  as  to  your  true  inalienable 
glory, — a  child  of  God,  an  heir  of  blissful  im- 
mortality ;  a  king  and  priest  unto  our  God 
forever.  Yes,  hidden  now,  and  many  stormy 
waves  about  you ;  but  what  a  hiding-place. 
"  In  the  time  of  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in 
his  pavilion ;  in  the  secret  of  his  tabernacle 
shall  he  hide  me."f  Those  who  are  admitted 
to  the  private  apartments  of  their  sovereign, 
are  not  wont  to  complain  of  their  seclusion. 
And  mark  the  next  clause  ;  "He  shall  set  me 
Tip  upon  a  rock."  Those  who  are  now  hidden 
in  the  clefts  of  the  Rock  of  ages,  shall  one  day 
stand  thereon  and  sing. 

*  1  John,  iii.  1.  f  Psa.  xxvii.  5. 


SECRET   LIFE.  173 

EVENING. 
SECRET  LIFE. 

"  Tour  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God  " — Col.  iii.  3. 

Let  us  trace  a  little  further  the  hidden  well- 
spring  of  a  Christian's  life,  for  its  forth-flowing 
streams  are  fresh  and  invigorating,  even  as 
cold  waters  to  a  thirsty  soul.  Would  we,  in- 
deed, discover  its  original  source,  we  must 
travel  further  than  the  "  utmost  bound  of  the 
everlasting  hills,"*  even  to  the  recesses  of  a 
past  eternity,  wherein  "  the  God  and  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  chosen  us  in  him 
before  the  foundation  of  the  Avorld  ;"f  so  that 
with  David  we  must  confess,  *'  With  thee  is 
the  fountain  of  life,":]:  hidden  mth  Christ  in 
God.  But  let  us  come  to  the  earliest  stage  of 
our  own  experience  of  this  life,  the  first  pulse 
that  quivered  through  our  inanimate  soul. 
Here  too  it  is  hidden  with  Christ  in  God  ;  for 
God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great  love 

*  Gen.  adix.  26.  \  Eph.  I  3,  4.  X  ^^^  xxxvi  9. 

16* 


174  SECRET  LIFE. 

wherewitli  he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were 
dead  in  sins,  liatli  quickened  us  together  with 
Christ:"*  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of  the 
Spirit.  ISTor  when  animated  and  quickened 
could  the  soul  maintain  its  life  for  one  mo- 
ment if  this  vital  cord,  in  any  part  of  its 
illimitable  length,  were  broken  or  severed ; 
"Because  I  live,"  says  our  Lord,  ''ye  shall 
live  also."f  "  If  a  man  abide  not  in  me,  he  is 
cast  forth  as  a  branch,  and  is  withered."  j;. 
While  the  man  that  abides  in  Christ  is  as  a 
tree  planted  by  the  waters,  that  seeth  not 
when  heat  cometh,  but  whose  leaf  is  green ; 
that  is  not  careful  in  the  year  of  drought,  nor 
ceases  from  yielding  fruit. §  O  blessed  hidden 
life,  enveloped,  and  again  enveloped  in  the 
depths  of  everlasting  love ;  so  hidden  that 
neither  godless  man  nor  raging  devil  can  dis- 
cover its  secret  fountain,  nor  the  icy  gi'asj^  of 
death  check  its  unobserved,  uninterrupted 
flow.     To  depart  is  far  better ;    for  we  only 

*  Eph.  ii.  4,  5.  f  John,  xiv.  19. 

X  Jobn,  XV,  6.  §  Jer.  xvii.  8, 


SECRET   LIFE.  175 

draw  nearer  to  the  centre  of  onr  life — it  is  to 
be  with  Christ.  And  ere  long  the  necessity 
for  concealment  shall  be  done  away — ere  long 
creation  will  hail  "the  manifestation  of  the 
sons  of  God  ;"*  for  "  when  Christ,  who  is  our 
life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  we  also  appear 
with  him  in  glory/'f 

*  Rom.  viii.  19.  f  Col.  iii.  4. 


®|rirta-|[iitt|  Iteming, 

THE  ANGELS'  SPECTACLE. 

'    We  are  made  a  spectacle  .    .    to  angels." — 1  Cor.  iv.  9. 

Chistians  in  general  have  to  walk  under 
the  keen  observation  of  the  world.  Many 
eyes  watch  for  their  halting.  There  are  many 
Herods  who  fear  them,  knowing  that  they  are 
just  and  holy,  and  observe  them.*  They  made 
a  spectacle  to  the  world  and  to  men  ;  and 
herein  have  many  an  opportunity  of  glorify- 
ing the  Captain  of  their  salvation  by  faithful 
and  soldier-like  demeanor.  But  no  saint,  how- 
ever secluded  his  retirement,  is  without  spec- 
tators, who  bend,  upon  every  movement,  the 
untiring  gaze  of  angelic  intelligence.  "  "We 
are  made  a  spectacle  to  angels."  When  first 
the  weeping  eye  of  faith  was  fixed  upon  a 
crucified  Saviour,  there  was  joy  in  the  presence 

*  Mark,  vi.  20 


THE  angels'  spectacle.  177 

of  the  angels  of  God  over  tliat  repenting  sin- 
ner.    Even  of  the  httle  ones  who  believe  in 
him,  Christ  declares,  *'  Their  angels  do  always 
behold  the  face  of  my  Father  which  is  in  hea- 
ven."*    And  as  the  pilgrim-soldier  fights  his 
way  to  Canaan,  "  are  they  not  all  ministering 
spirits,   sent  forth  to  minister   for  them  who 
shall  be  heirs  of  salvation  ?"t     '^ot  is  theirs  a 
listless  ministry  ;  for  "  Ave  wrestle  not  against 
flesh    and  blood,  but    against    principalities, 
against  powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the  dark- 
ness of  this  world,  against  wicked  spirits  in 
high  places.":!:     And  round  about  every  ran- 
somed  soul  is  there   "war  in  heaven;"   the 
blessed  angels  militant  against  the  dragon  and 
his  angels,  who  fight  though  they  prevail  not.§ 
For  thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  vic- 
tory through   our   Lord  Jesus  Christ.     From 
which  we  may  gather,  that  the   seclusion  of 
any  child  of  God  is  more  apparent  than  real ; 
and  when  no  human  eye  discerns  the  struggles 

*  Matt,  xviii.  10.  f  Ht^b.  i.  14. 

X  Eph.  vi.  1 2,  margin.  §  Rev.  xii.  7. 


178  THE  VIEWLESS  CAMP. 

of  his  faith,  and  no  human  ear  catches  his 
whispered  supplication,  then  may  he  be  the 
object  of  intensest  interest  to  the  batthng  ar- 
mies of  heaven  and  hell.  The  restless  mur- 
mur of  impatience  or  unbelief  awakens  scoffs 
of  fiendish  triumph  in  the  ranks  of  his  ma- 
lignant foes ;  while  the  low  breathings  of  resig- 
nation and  faith  kindle  the  joyous  gratulations 
of  his  angelic  guards.  And  when  the  disem- 
bodied spirit  forsakes  its  "  ruined  tent,"  at 
once  they  emerge  from  their  viewless  obscurity, 
and  the  deserted  Lazarus  is  carried  by  the  angels 
into  Abraham's  bosom.  Solitary  believer,  thou 
art  not  alone,  for  there  be  many  with  thee. 


EVENING. 
THE  VIEWLESS  CAMP. 

"And  the  Lord  opened  the  eyes  of  the  young  man; 
and  he  saw;  and  hehold  the  mountain  was  full  of 
horses  and  chariots  oi"  fire  round  about  Elisha."— 
2  Kings,  vi.  17. 

If  there  were  any  question  on  which  side 
yi  the  contending  spiritual  armies  might  and 


THE  VIEWLESS  CAMP.  179 

riglit  preponderated,  there  would  be  nothing 
of  consolation,  nay  there  would  be  something 
exceedingly  oppressive  in  the  thought,  that 
we  were  the  objects  of  the  sleepless  vigilance 
of  viewless  and  powerful  spirits.  Then  might 
we  be  ready  to  exclaim  with  Elisha's  servant, 
"  Alas,  my  master!  how  shall  we  do?"'^  But 
Ave  need  not  cast  about  for  an  answer.  "  Fear 
not,"  the  prophet  replies,  "  for  they  that  be 
with  us  are  more  than  they  that  be  with  them." 
And  how  inexplicable  soever  this  might  ap- 
pear to  his  attendant,  when  the  eye  of  sense 
was  couched,  and  the  scales  fell  before  the 
prayer  of  faith,  it  was  found  to  be  nothing 
but  the  simple  unadorned  truth.  The  king  of 
Syria  came  "  with  horses  and  chariots,  and  a 
great  host."t  But  the  King  of  heaven  de- 
spatched an  army  of  like  description,  but  of 
immeasurably  superior  might :  "  horses  and 
chariots  of  fire"  encamping  round  about  Elisha ; 
and  not  a  cloud  of  fear  flung  its  shadow  on  the 
soul  of  the  faithful  prophet. 

*  2  Kings,  vi.  15.  f  2  Kings,  vi.  14. 


L80  THE  VIEWLESS   CAMP. 

Believer,  you  are,  and  will  be  to  tlie  end, 
surrounded  with  the  hosts  of  heaven  and  of 
hell.  Yet,  be  of  good  cheer,  you  are  upon  the 
conquering  side ;  you  can  ask  triumphantly 
with  Job — "  Is  there  any  number  of  his  ar- 
mies ?"*  Think  you  that  He,  to  whose  rescue 
twelve  legions  of  angels  would  have  sped  at 
the  slightest  permissive  beck,  will  suffer  you 
to  lie  exposed  to  the  malignant  powers  of 
darkness  ? — nay,  he  hath  given  commandment 
to  save  you.f 

*  Job.  XXV,  3.  t  Psa.  Ixxi.  S. 


THE  ALMIGHTY  KEEPER. 

"With  him  is  an  arra  cf  flesh  ;  hut  with  us  is  the  Lord, 
our  God,  to  help  us  and  to  fight  our  hattles." — J. 
Chron    xxxii.  8 

"Whatever  comfort  we  may  draw  from  tlie 
assurances  wliicli  Scripture  supplies,  that  the 
angels  of  God  encamp  round  about  us,  and 
succor  us  in  our  spiritual  warfare,  still  the 
Christian's  confidence  is  not  in  these  bulwarks, 
however  strong,  but  in  his  impregnable  rock, 
his  fortress,  his  citadel,  "where unto  he  may 
continually  resort,"*  even  in  the  omnipotence 
of  the  Lord  his  God,  Many  and  mighty  are 
the  Goliaths  of  the  rebel  army  who  have  fallen 
beneath  the  smooth  stones  of  the  shepherd's 
sling.  How  often  has  the  half-stifled  sob — 
"Lord,  I  am  oppressed ;  undertake  for  me;"t 

*  Psa.  Ixxi.  3.  f  Tsa.  xxxviii.  14. 


182  THE  ALMIGHTY   KEEPEE. 

the  drowning  cry — "Lord,  save  me;"*  the 
wrestling  ejaculation,  "  I  believe  ;  lielp  tliou 
mine  unbelief  ;"f  tlie  tearful,  trustful  look 
upon  the  Friend  of  sinners,  turned  to  flight  the 
armies  of  the  aliens.  While  we  gratefully  re- 
ceive the  Divine  promises  of  angelic  aid,  and 
while,  in  Hezekiah's  case,  who  confessed  that 
the  Lord  alone  could  fight  the  battles  of  Israel, 
it  still  pleased  him  to  use  an  angel's  ministry 
for  the  overthrow  of  Assyria :  flir  be  from  us 
any  creature  confidence,  however  lofty  in  tbe 
scale  of  creation  the  promised  guard  may  stand. 
Shall  we  lift  up  our  eyes  unto  the  hills  ?  Our 
help  Cometh  from  the  Lord.ij:  And  resting  on 
this  guardianship,  though  we  never  go  out  but 
the  path  is  strewn  with  snares,  nor  come  in 
but  our  home  is  beleaguered  with  foes,  who 
may  redouble  their  efforts  as  we  advance  in 
holiness  and  draw  nigh  to  heaven,  still  Ave  can 
echo  back  the  Psalmist's  confidence :  "  The  Lord 
shall  preserve  our  going  out  and  our  coming  in 
from  this  time  forth,  and  even  for  evermore." 

*  Matt.  xiv.  30.         -j-  Mark,  ix.  24.         X  ^^^-  ^''^^^-  1»  margin. 


THE  SYMPATmZING  SUFFEKEil.  183 

EVENING. 
TEE  SYMPATHIZING  SUFFEEER. 

'•  loi-  in  that  he  hath  suflfered  beitag  tempted,  he  is  able 
to  succour  them  that  are  tempted."— H^cn.  ii.  18. 

If  tliere  be  one  tiling  tliat  a  sensitive  mind 
more  shrinks  from  communicating  tlian  an- 
other, it  is  the  history  of  its  own  inward  con- 
flicts. Truly  has  the  poet  traced  the  working 
of  many  a  "  mourner's  wayward  heart." 

"  Calm  be  the  voice,  the  aspect  bold, 

No  shuddoiing  pass  o'er  lip  or  brow, 
For  why  should  inuocence  be  told 

The  paugs  that  guilty  spirits  bow  ? 
The  loviug  eye  that  watches  thine, 

Close  as  the  air  that  wraps  thee  round, 
Why  in  thy  sorrow  should  it  pine, 

Since  never  of  thy  sin  it  found  'i " 

And  none,  perhaps,  can  describe,  save  those 
who  have  experienced  it,  the  dehght  of  meet- 
ing at  such  a  time  with  an  able,  experienced 
Christian,  who,  divining  by  the  true  instinct  of 
love  the  secret  anguish  of  the  heart,  mentions, 
unsolicited,  that,  he  has   passed  through  the 


184         THE  SYMPATHIZING  SUFFERER. 

same  conflict,  and  draws  from  his  own  experi- 
ence the  reply  to  every  unconfessed  tempta- 
tion. Many  waters  cannot  quench  the  love 
that  will  turn  towards  that  "brother  born  for 
adversity."* 

But  whether  or  no  the  Lord  may  vouchsafe 
a  human  comforter  for  such  an  hour  of  tribu- 
lation, remember,  tried  and  tempted  disciple, 
that  he  himself  is  by  your  side,  and  bends  his 
gracious  ear  to  catch  every  whisper  of  your 
tremulous  lips.  Oh,  shrink  not  from  "  pour- 
ing out "  your  heart  before  him  ;  for  hearken 
how,  to  elicit  your  confidence,  he  assures  you 
that  he  was  "  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  you 
are/'  and  is,  therefore,  "  touched  with  the  feel- 
ing of  your  infirmities, "f  while,  having  bafiied 
every  temptation,  he  is  able  to  succor  you. 
Betake  you  to  this  Good  Physician,  for  "he 
knows  the  wound  that  bleeds  inwardly  ;"  and 
though  you  come  in  the  press  behind,  and 
touch  but  the  hem  of  his  garment,  3^ou  shall 
be  whole.ij: 

*  Prov.  xvii.  11.  f  Htb.  iv.  15.  X  Mark,  v.  21 


1 0  r  t  H  - 1  i  n  t  P  0  rn  i  it  g . 

COLLECTIVE  SUPPORT. 

"And  Aaron  shall  "bear  their  names  hefore  the  Lord 
upon  his  two  shoulders  for  a  memorial.'' — Ex. 
xsviii.  12. 

These  names  of  the  cliildrcn  of  Israel  were 
engraven  upon  two  onyx  stones,  six  upon 
each  stone,  and  being  fastened  upon  the  ephod, 
were  borne  upon  Aaron's  shoulders  when  he 
went  in  to  minister  before  the  Lord.  This  has 
been  with  pecuUar  beauty  interpreted  to  signify, 
how  Jesus  our  great  High  Priest  upholds  his 
universal  church  by  his  omnipotence,  and 
when  he  appears  at  the  right  hand  of  God  for 
us,  as  our  Mediator  and  Intercessor,  bears  the 
names  of  his  people  collectively  before  the 
Lord  for  a  memorial.  For  the  shoulder  is  the 
seat  and  emblem  of  strength  ;*  and  the  names 

*  See  Isa.  ix.  6. 
16* 


186  COLLECTIVE  SUPPORT, 

being  thus  "anitedlj  engraven  upon  two  stones 
of  like  nature,  seems  to  manifest  the  equal  and 
impartial  regard  lie  entertains  towards  his 
"  whole  family,"  his  "  one  body,"  his  "  glorious 
church,"  his  only  "bride  i""^  and  how  all  be- 
lievers alike,  of  every  century  and  every  clime, 
rest  only  on  his  almightiness  for  support. 

Weak  and  weary  disciple,  is  there  not 
*' strong  consolation"  for  you  in  this  living 
type?  You  have  no  doubt  of  the  safety  of 
many  eminent  Christians,  whose  faith  and 
holiness  have  often  attracted  your  affectionate 
admiration.  Yet  consider,  all  their  security 
lies  in  this,  that  they  are  upheld  by  Christ 
Jesus,  that  their  names  are  borne  upon  the 
shoulders  of  their  High  Priest  before  the  Lord 
for  a  memorial.  Be  of  good  cheer;  their 
High  Priest  is  yours ;  your  name  is  engraven 
side  by  side  with  theirs  on  the  same  stones  of 
remembrance ;  and  remembering  from  whence 
your  strength  cometh,  you  can  say  with  St. 
Paul,  "  When  I  am  weak  then,  am  I  strong. "f 

*  Ephes.  iii.  15  ;  iv.  4  ;  v.  27.  f   2  Cor.  xii.  10. 


INDIVIDUAL   SYMPATHY.  187 

EVENING. 
INDIVIDUAL  SYMPATHY. 

"And  Aaron  shall  "bear  the  names  of  the  children  of 
Israel  in  the  breastplate  of  judgment  upon  his 
heart,  -when  he  goeth  in  unto  the  holy  place,  for 
a  memorial  before  the  Lord  continually." — Exod. 
xxviii.  29. 

The  names,  However,  of  Israel's  sons  were 
engraven  twice  upon  the  lioly  garments  which, 
were  made  "  for  Aaron  for  glory  and  for 
beauty:"  once  npon  the  two  onyx  stones  of 
the  ephod,  and  again  separately  on  twelve  dif- 
ferent stones  of  the  breastplate ;  and  in  this 
a  most  exquisite  truth  has  been  deciphered. 
"When  the  idea  to  be  conveyed  was  support 
by  omnipotent  strength,  there  was  a  peculiar 
propriety  in  the  names  being  grouped  to- 
gether, all  alike  upheld  upon  the  high  priest's 
shoulder ;  but  when  we  come  to  the  throbbing 
affections  of  the  heart,  we  seem  to  crave  an  in- 
dividual place,  a  discriminating  love :  for  "  the 
heart  knoweth  his  own  bitterness ;  and  a  stran- 
ger doth  not  intermeddle  with  his  joy."*   Now 

*  Prov.  xiv  10. 


188  INDIVIDUAL  SYMPATHY. 

this  is  just  supplied  bj  tlie  separate  engraving 
on  the  twelve  stones  of  the  breastplate,  each 
name  bj  itself,  each  upon  a  (ili&erent  stone, 
though  all  were  stones  of  price,  and  all  bound 
closely  upon  the  same  beating  heart.  And 
"  they  were  firmly  set,  not  slightly  put  into 
the  breastplate,  for  all  the  faithful  were  so 
firmly  united  unto  Jesus  Christ,  that  not  the 
smallest  jewel  can  be  picked  from  the  breast- 
plate of  our  Aaron  by  the  joint  efforts  of  earth 
and  hell."* 

Blessed  assurance,  that  the  Saviour  bends 
as  undivided  a  regard  upon  every  lamb  and 
sheep  of  his  fold,  as  if  no  other  object  engaged 
his  infinite  compassion !  He  identifies  him- 
self with  "the  least  of  his  brethren :"f  He 
shares  their  griefs,  and  catches  their  whispers, 
and  pleads  their  cause  at  the  right  hand  of 
the  Majesty.  "  Let  us,  therefore,  come  boldly 
unto  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  obtain 
mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need.":j: 

*  M'Ewen  on  the  Types,  book  i.  chap.  viii. 

t  Matt.  XXV.  40.  X  Hob.  iv.  16. 


ALTOGETHER  LOVELY. 

"Tea,  he  is  altogether  lovely."— Song  v.  16. 

It  needs  not  to  tell  tlie  believer  tliat  this  is 
a  description  of  Jesus.      For  as  surely  as  a 
child,  if  his  father  be  talked  of,  recognizes  the 
first  lineaments  of  his  character ;   as  surely  as  a 
wife  discovers  for  off  the  portrait  of  her  hus- 
band, so  surely  will  the  church  discover  and 
recognize,  in  One  who  is  declared  to  be  alto- 
gether lovely,  her  Beloved,  her  Saviour,  her 
Lord.     Other  persons,  other  things  may  have 
points  of  loveliness  about  them,  and,  though 
all  the  beauty  of  earth  is  clouded  with  sin,  may 
be  said  to  be  lovely  in  this  or  the  other  par- 
ticular.     But  One  who  is  altogether  lovely, 
within  and   without,  in  wisdom,  in  power,  in 
love,  now  and  forever;  this  can  be  none  other 
than  Jesus  ;  this  is,  this  must  be  the  Lord. 


190  ALTOGETHEK  LOVELY. 

To  muse  upon  his  loveliness  is  indeed  the 
cream,  of  all  meditation;  it  is  handling  the 
diamond  among  jewels,  and  examining  the 
rose  among  the  flowers ;  nay,  it  is  beyond  com- 
pare. Draughts  from  this  well-spring  satisfy 
and  exhilarate.  "  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied 
as  with  marrow  and  fatness,  when  I  meditate 
on  thee  in  the  night  watches."^*  "  My  medi- 
tation of  him  shall  be  sweet :  I  will  be  glad 
in  the  Lord."f  The  loveliness  of  Jesus  is  in- 
deed an  inexhaustible  theme ;  it  is  like  gazing 
on  the  clear  blue  sky  at  noon  day,  or  the 
starry  firmament  at  night ;  there  is  no  bound, 
no  limit;  and  the  closer  we  gaze,  and  the 
greater  assistance-  we  derive  from  science,  only 
new  and  endless  glories  disclose  themselves  in 
the  unfathomable  heavens.  Yet,  fainting  be- 
liever, be  not  repelled  by  the  infinit}^  of  the 
object ;  refuse  not  to  climb  the  mountain,  be- 
cause its  heights  are  lost  in  unattainable  light ; 
for,  though  you  scale  not  the  summit,  3'our 
horizon  shall  widen  at  every  step ;  you  shall 

*  Psa.  Ixiii.  5,  6.  I  Psa.  civ.  34. 


JESUS,    MY  BELOVED.  191 

see  the  loveliness  of  liis  omnipotence,  Avliicli  is 
placed  on  your  side ;  of  his  infinite  wisdom, 
which  is  stored  up  for  yon  ;  of  his  unutterable 
grace,  which  descends  from  the  highest,  and 
stoops  to  the  lowest,  and  seals  every  other  at- 
tribute as  your  own  ;  and  of  his  eternity,  dur- 
ing the  past  ages  of  which  ''he  chose  you 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world,"'^^  and 
whose  future  ages  you  shall  share  with  him  in 
glory.  Take  with  you  the  telescope  of  faith, 
gaze  long  and  eagerly,  for  the  views  are  ravish- 
ing, and  the  prospect  boundless,  though  now, 
at  best,  ''  we  see  through  a  glass  darkly."! 


EVENING. 
JEST7S,   MY    BELOVED. 


«  This  is  my  beloved,  and  this  is  my  friend,  O  daughters 
of  Jerusalem." — Song  v.  16. 

An  American  traveller,  wandering  through, 
the  cells  in  Lambeth  palace,  in  which  the  mar- 

*Ephes.i.4.  f  1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 


192  JESUS,    MY   BELOVED. 

tjrs  of  Jesus  had  once  been  confined,  deci- 
phered these  words  traced  upon  the  wall,  Jesus 
amor  mens;  "Jesus  my  love.''  No  record  re- 
mains of  that  now  sleeping,  once  suffering 
saint ;  but  what  a  volume  do  those  three  words 
disclose.  Is  it  not  like  being  admitted  to  the 
inner  prison  at  Philippi,  where  "  at  midnight 
Paul  and  Silas  prayed,  and  sang  praises  unto 
God?"*  The  night  might  be  dark  and  star- 
less, the  chain  heavy,  the  prison  loathsome ; 
but  he  who  could  write,  "  Jesus  amor  meus^'' 
had  *'a  song  as  in  the  night  when  a  holy 
solemnity  is  kept  ;"f  he  basked  in  a  better 
sunshine,  for  "  the  Lord  made  his  face  to  shine 
upon  him  :"J  he  breathed  a  nobler  freedom, 
even  "the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of 
God  :"§  he  dwelt  in  a  kinglier  mansion,  for  he 
kept  himself  "  in  the  love  of  God."|| 

My  suffering  brother,  can  you  say  of  this 
altogether  lovely  Saviour,  "  This  is  my  Be- 
loved, and  this  is  my  Friend?"     How   does 

*  Acts,  xvi.  25.  f  Isa.  xxx,  29.  %  Num.  vi.  25. 

§  Rom.  viii.  21.  (|  Jude,  21. 


JESUS,   MY  BELOVED.  193 


tliis  a  tliousand   time    outwcigli   tlic  liglitcr 

afflictions  we  are  passing  through !     We  can 

easily  credit  the   happiness   of  the   Lambeth 

captive.     But  if  we  would  realize  it  o  arselves, 

we  must,  as  he  did,  make  Jesus  our  Friend, — 

share  every  thought  with   him,  breathe   into 

liis  ear  every  anxiety,  rest  on  his  promises,  and 

thirst  for  his  presence. 
17 


THE  PERPLEXING  ALTERNATIVE- 

' '  Yet  what  I  shall  choose  I  wot  not." — Fhil.  i.  22 

A  WISE  and  tender  parent  had  two  sons, 
and  knowing  that,  from  his  position,  they 
would  be  called  in  riper  years  to  fill  influential 
positions  in  the  state,  he  selected  a  school  for 
for  them  with  the  utmost  care,  where  the  dis- 
cipline and  instruction  were  exactly  suited  to 
mould  their  future  characters.  One  of  his 
children,  deeply  impressed  with  his  father's 
wisdom  and  love,  never  gave  himself  a  mo- 
ment's anxiety  concerning  his  lot,  but  sub- 
mitted with  a  cheerful  zest  to  every  regula- 
tion. Not  so,  however,  with  the  other;  for, 
though  his  heart  was  not  less  finely  strung,  nor 
his  mind  less  nobly  formed,  he  was  haunted  by 
a  continual  impression  that  his  father  could 
ne^'e^  have  designed  them  to  forego  so  many 


THE   PERPLEXING  ALTERNATIVE.         195 

indulgences,  and  endure  sucli  manifold  hard- 
ships. So,  after  much  inward  conflict,  he  de- 
termined to  write  his  father  a  full  statement  of 
his  discomfort  and  disquietude.  His  father's 
answer  not  a  IMe  startled  him.  It  ran  thus  : 
"  My  son,  carefully  weigh  the  advantages  and 
disadvantages  of  remaining  at,  or  leaving  your 
present  position,  and  if  you  decide  to  return, 
come  home  immediately;  you  have  my  free 
permission."  When  the  choice  was  thus  un- 
expectedly thrown  upon  himself,  the  poor  lad 
was  involved  in  a  labyrinth  of  perplexity.  On 
the  one  hand,  escape  from  his  scholastic  yoke 
was  very  inviting,  and  the  thought  of  being 
with  his  beloved  father,  filled  him  with  jo}^ ; 
but  again  he  considered,  "  What  if,  in  after- 
hfe,  I  should  be  called,  with  an  unfurnished 
mind,  to  fill  a  position  for  which  I  am  quite 
unequal  ?"  The  embarrassment,  while  it  lasted, 
was  torturing,  as  the  advantages,  now  of  one 
decision,  now  of  another,  appeared  to  prepon- 
derate ;  nor  could  he  in  any  wise  resolve  his 
doubts,  until  he  opened  his  mind  to  his  brother. 


196        THE  PEEPLEXING  ALTERNATIVE. 

His  counsel  was,  that  as  tlieir  father  must, 
from  his  vast  experience  and  discrimination, 
know  far  better  than  they  possibly  could  the 
balancing  benefits  of  home  or  school,  he  should 
even  refer  the  choice  back  ag^in  to  his  parental 
wisdom.  This,  with  a  certain  shamefacedness, 
when  he  reflected  that  now  his  original  posi- 
tion would  be  in  no  wise  altered,  he  resolved 
to  do.  But  the  lesson  was  one  he  never  forgot, 
for,  ever  after,  while  cheerfully  applying  to  his 
present  duties,  he  felt  an  unwavering  assurance 
that  he  should  be  summoned  home  the  earliest 
moment,  which  a  judgment  far  superior  to  his 
own  saw  best  for  the  promotion  of  his  true  in- 
terests. 

Even  the  Apostle  Paul  felt  the  perplexity 
of  choosing  between  life  and  death ;  though 
his  singleness  of  eye  marvellously  helped  him 
here,  for  he  could  unfeignedly  declare,  "  To 
me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain."^  How 
thankfully  may  we  repose  in  the  blessed  cer- 
tainty, "  My  times  are  in  thy  hand."t 

*  Phil.  i.  21.  t  ^^^-  ^^^'  15. 


THE   CHOICE    REFUSED.  197 

EVENING. 

THE    CHOICE   REFUSED. 

"Thy  will  "be  done." — Matt.vI.  10, 

The  same  principle  tliat  concerns  tlie  liour 
of  our  departure,  applies  to  every  daily  provi- 
dence. Our  difficulties  would  be  immeasura- 
bly increased,  if  the  choice  between  possible 
alternatives  were  left  with  us.  Let  us  freely 
grant,  with  St.  Paul,  that  the  present  affliction 
is  not  "joyous,  but  grievous;""^  yet,  were  the 
Lord  to  bid  us  choose  between  ease  and  suf- 
fering— between  riches  and  penury — between 
solitude  and  society — dare  we  take  upon  our- 
selves the  responsibility  of  deciding  questions 
that  might  affect  the  glory  of  Jesus,  and  our 
own  highest  interests  ?  Nay,  we  must  refer  it 
back  again  to  the  Lord,  saying,  "  Choose  for 
me ;  thy  will  be  done."  How  stands  the  case, 
then  ?  Why,  the  decision  of  our  lot  is  with 
Him  in  whose  hands,  if  we  reflected  for  a  mo- 

*  Heb.  xii.  11. 
IV* 


198  THE   CHOICE   REFUSED. 

ment,  we  sTiould,  witTi  all  speed,  place  it  and 
leave  it.  Why  are  we,  tlien,  like  the  disciples 
in  the  tempest,  "  so  fearful  ?"  Alas !  the  name 
whereby  Jesus  addressed  them  befits  ns — "  O 
ye  of  little  faith!"*  Oh  that  we  might  learn 
to  breathe  his  own  confiding  prayer,  "  Never- 
theless not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt."f 

*  Matt.  viii.  26.  f  Matt.  xxvi.  39 


HOME  SICKNESS. 

"Now  the  man  out  of  wliom  the  devils  -^ere  departed 
besouglit  him  that  he  might  he  with  him  ;  hut  Jesua 
sent  him  awaj,  saying,  Return  to  thine  own  house 
and  show  how  great  things  God  hath  done  unto 
thee."— LuzE,  viii.   38,  39. 

Who  can  wonder  at  tlie  request  of  tlie  poor 
maniac  of  Gadara?    Long  wMe  possessed  by 
a  legion  of  evil  spirits,  niglit  and  day  had  he 
wandered  in  the  mountains  and  tombs,  seek- 
ing rest   and  finding  none.     Vainly  had  he 
been  bound  with  fetters  and  chains,  for,  with  a 
strength  beyond  his  own,  he  rent  them  asun- 
der.     But  now  he  had  a  Saviour ;  the  spirits 
had  quaHed  and  fled  before  the  Prince  of  hfe ; 
the  storm  of  his  soul  was  hushed,  and  there 
was  a  great  calm ;  he  sat  like  the  gentle  Mary 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus,    and  heard  his   word. 
Blessed  change!  he  was  a  new  creature.   Who 


200  HOME   SICKNESS. 

marvels  at  his  instinctive  entreaty  henceforth 
to  live  and  die  in  the  presence  of  his  beloved 
Deliverer  ? 

And  does  not  as  mighty,  though  less  visible, 
a  change  pass  over  every  soul  that  is  truly 
born  of  Grod  ?  A  child  of  wrath,  led  captive 
by  Satan  at  his  will,  the  unconverted  man 
wandered  far  from  his  Father's  house  amid  the 
sepulchral  desolations  of  sorrow  and  of  sin ; 
nor  could  all  the  appliances  which  human  in- 
genuity might  devise,  control  or  cast  out  the 
evil  passions  of  his  heart.  But  in  "  the  time 
of  love,"  his  Saviour  passed  by  him,  and  said 
unto  him,  "Live;"*  and  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness and  of  death  yielded  to  the  serene  om- 
nipotence of  that  voice  ;  his  heart  was  opened, 
and  Jesus  entered  by  his  Spirit,  diffusing 
light  and  peace  through  every  benighted 
chamber  of  the  soul.  Can  we  wonder  if  such 
a  soul  long  to  be  translated  at  once  to  the 
presence  of  its  newly-found  Master?  for  a 
single  glance  into  futurity  reveals  temptations 

*  Ezek.  xvii.  6.  8. 


HOME   SICKNESS.  201 

and  trials,  sins  and  snares,  thickly  besetting 
the  pilgrim  path  ;  and  the  new  man  longs  for 
holiness,  while  the  old  is  ready  to  strike  a 
traitorous  league  with  corruption  without. 
The  prospect  has  appalled  many  a  veteran,* 
and  who  shall  marvel  if  the  young  disciple 
beseeches  Jesus  that  he  may  be  with  him,  and 
behold  his  glory  ? 

Yet  Jesus  sent  the  healed  demoniac  away. 
He  had  a  work  for  him  to  do,  a  Saviour  to 
tell  of,  a  story  of  experienced  grace  to  publish. 
''  Eeturn  to  thine  own  house ;"  go  home  to 
thy  friends,  and  tell  them  how  great  things 
the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee,  and  hath  had 
compassion  on  thee.  Oh,  surely,  we  shall 
meet  with  some  fruits  of  this  mission  of  mercy 
in  glory ;  and  one  and  another  from  Deca- 
polis  will  tell  how  they  first  heard  from  the 
cured  demoniac  of  a  Saviour's  power,  and 
sympathy,  and  love. 

Suffering  believer,  are  you  longing  for  your 
release  ?      Is  there   no  brother  or  sister,  no 

*  Pea.  Iv.  3-8. 


202  HOME  WELCOME. 

friend,  no  attendant  or  nnrse,  to  whom  you 
can  tell  the  story  of  your  salvation,  and  relate, 
with  the  untaught  eloquence  of  feeling,  how 
the  Lord  had  compassion  on  you?  Would 
not  another  jewel  in  your  Saviour's  crown, 
a  spiritual  child  of  your  own,  be  worth  months 
— ^yes,  years  of  waiting  ?  At  all  events,  Jesus 
suffers  you  not  yet  to  be  with  him  in  glory, 
but  detains  you  as  he  detained  this  man,  "  at 
home  with  his  friends."  May  it  not  be  for  a 
like  reason? 


EVENING. 
HOME  WELCOME. 


"  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast  given 
rae,  be  with  me  where  I  am.." — John,  xvii.  24. 

The  desire  of  a  newly- awakened  soul  to  be 
at  once  with  Christ,  is  not  wrong  in  kind,  but 
only  in  date.  It  anticipates  the  Master's  call, 
(and  until  his  will  is  plain,  ours  must  be 
pliant)  but  anticipates  it  at  the  longest  only 


HOME   WELCOME.  203 

by  a  few  years.  For  his  promise  is  as  certain 
as  it  is  cheering — "  If  any  man  serve  me,  let 
him  follow  me ;  and  where  I  am,  there  shall 
also  my  servant  be."*  Nay,  we  are  continually 
encouraged  to  "  set  our  affections"  on  this  time 
of  perfected  communion  with  our  Saviour, 
"looking  for  that  blessed  hope"t  when  we 
shall  ever  be  with  the  Lord.  Only  let  us 
keep  our  desires  in  harmonious  subordination 
to  the  mind  of  Christ,  and  as  soon  as  his  good 
pleasure  has  been  wrought  in  us,  and  by  us, 
his  will  to  have  us  with  him  will  give  life 
and  efficacy  to  our  will  to  be  with  him ;  and 
whether  found  among  the  quick  or  dead  at 
his  appearing,  will  draw  us  by  an  irresistible 
attraction  in  all  the  perfections  of  the  spiritual 
body  to  his  presence  wherein  is  "  fulness  of 
joy,"  and  to  his  right  hand,  where  there  are 
"  pleasures  for  evermore," J 

*  John,  xii.  26.  f  Tit  il  13.  X  Paa,  xvi.  11. 


|0rti|-|;tftlr  ^lt0rning, 

COMMUNION  IN  THE  FURNACE. 

'And  fhe  form  of  the  fourth  is  like  the  Son  of  G-od.''— 
Dan.  iii.  25 

What  an  unexpected  greeting  must  tliis 
have  been  to  tlie  tliree  children !  What  a 
joyful  surprise  !  What  a  marvellons  place  to 
meet  and  hold  communion  with  Jesus, — the 
midst  of  a  burning  fiery  furnace,  heated  seven 
times  more  that  it  was  wont  to  be  heated ! 
That  he  should  join  the  two  disciples  in  their 
evening  walk  to  Emmaus  seems  more  reason- 
able, but  who  could  dream  that  he  would 
reveal  himself  here  ?  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and 
Abednego,  though  exposed  to  the  scorching 
anger  of  the  king  of  Babylon,  staggered  not  at 
the  faithfulness  of  God,  but,  with  an  invincible 
strength  of  faith,  grasped  deliverance  ere  it 
came,  sapng,  "  Our  Grod  will  deliver  us  out  of 


COMMUNION   IN   THE   FURNACE.  205 

tliy  hand,  0  king."  Yet,  I  question  whether, 
amid  all  their  uniiinching  confidence,  thej  an- 
ticipated such  a  time  of  fellowship  as  the  God 
thej  served  was  preparing  for  them.  They 
were  driven  from  the  throne  of  Nebuchad- 
nezzar, and  cast  out  from  the  society  of  men, 
but  it  was  only  to  enter  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  and  to  hold  intercourse  with  the  King  of 
kings.  Methinks  they  must  have  been  right 
sorry  to  hear  the  royal  mandate,  "  Come  forth, 
and  come  hither  ;"  yet  they  asked  not  miracu- 
lous preservation  when  no  longer  needful ;  but 
came  forth  refreshed  from  the  furnace,  their 
bonds  alonje  consumed,  to  serve  the  Master 
they  had  seen  with  new  alacrity  in  the  high 
duties  of  their  station. 

Afilicted  saints !  three  lessons  lie  here  upon 
the  surface  for  you  ;  and  many  others  will  be 
dug  up  if  3^ou  work  the  mine,  for  the  vein  of 
ore  is  rich ;  but  these  three  are  manifest.  (1.) 
Declare  unhesitatingly  your  final  deliverance 
—it  glorifies  Grod,  abashes  Satan,  strengthens 
your  brethren,  and  cheers  yourself.  (2.)  Be 
18 


206  SUSPEND  YOUR  JUDGMENT. 

encouraged  by  tlie  example  of  the  three  chil- 
dren to  look  for  special  manifestations  of 
Christ's  presence  in  afQiction.  Plead  the 
promise  which  they  realized.*  Seek  Jesus, 
and  you  shall  find  him.  (3.)  When  he  re- 
moves the  trial,  cheerfully  betake  thee  to  the 
active  duties  of  life.  Be  not  so  enamored  of 
the  fellowship  in  the  furnace,  as  idly  to  hang 
back  when  he  calls  thee  forth.  His  viewless 
presence  shall  be  with  thee  still ;  and  though 
in  the  world  thou  hast  tribulation,  still  in  him 
thou  shalt  have  peace.f 


EVENING. 

SUSPEND  YOUR  JUDGMENT. 

*We   kno^w   that  all  things   worlc   together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  God." — Pcou.  viii.  SS. 

There  is  so  much  in  that  expression,  '  Vork 
together."     K  you  view  some  isolated  portions 

*  Isa,  xliii.  2.  f  John,  xvi.  33. 


SUSPEND   YOUR  JUDGMENT.  207 

of  the  Christian's  training,  thej  may  appear 
most  mysterious  ;  but  if  we  will  be  content  to 
"  take  it  on  trust  a  little  while,"  till  the  Mas- 
ter's work  is  finished,  we  shall  then,  with 
overflowing  gratitude,  confess,  "It  is  good, 
very  good."*  A  skilful  artist  works  the 
brighest  and  the  darkest  hues  into  one  har- 
monious picture  ;  but  if  many  of  those  who 
are  in  ecstasy  with  his  perfected  chef  d'oeuvrc 
had  seen  it  in  the  process  of  painting,  when 
he  was  plentifully  applying  sombre  colors  and 
cold  neutral  tints  to  throw  parts  of  the  land- 
scape into  shadow,  they  would  have  been 
ready  to  exclaim,  he  was  marring  if  not  ruin- 
ing his  work.  "  We  are  his  workmanship  ;"f 
but  at  present  we  know  but  "in  part, "if  while 
our  attention  is  of  necessity  engrossed  by  that 
fragment  of  the  new  creation  which,  if  we  may 
so  speak,  is  passing  through  the  Lord's  hands. 
When  we  awake  up  after  his  likeness,  we  shall 
acknowledge  with  adoring  love  how  sunshine 
and  sorrow,  "  gloom  and  glow,"  temptations 

*  (Jen.  i.  81.  f  Ephes.  il  10.  ^:  1  Cor.  xiii.  12. 


208  SUSPEND  YOUR  JUDGMENT. 

and  triumplis,  all  worked  together  to  form  tlic 
spotless  bliss  of  glory.  We  shall  then  discern 
that  we  could  no  more  have  done  without  the 
trials  than  the  mercies  of  our  pilgrimage  ;  and 
shall  bless  the  faithful  love  which  inflicted  a 
momentary  pain  for  an  eternal  issue  of  a  bless- 
ing. Doubtless  we  shall  confess  it  then ;  but 
herein  is  faith,  joyfully  to  confess  it  now. 


THE  FETTERED  RACER, 

**I  press  toward  the  mark  fcr  the  prize  of  the  high  call- 
ing of  G-od  in  Christ  Jesus." — Phil.  iii.  14. 

In  wliat  position  was  St.  Paul  wlieii  he 
speaks  of  himself  as  thus  ardently  and  urgently 
pressing  on  ?*  A  prisoner  at  Rome,  shackled 
with  bondst  for  Christ's  sake,  dwelling  "  with 
a  soldier  that  kept  him":]:  in  constant  restraint. 
There  is  something  most  ennobling  in  the 
triumph  of  the  spirit  over  the  body,  which 
enabled  hun,  when  thus  manacled  and  impris- 
oned, to  realize  that  he  was  a  racer  in  an 
arduous  race,  pressing  forward  with  an  intensity 
of  holy  emulation  for  the  prize  of  his  high 
calling.  How  easily  might  he,  when  stopped 
by  violence  in  the  midst  of  his  apostolic  career, 

*  See  Claude's  remarks  on  this,  in  his  Essay  on  Sermons, 
p.  70.  +  PhiL  i.  13.  X  Acts,  xxviii.  16. 


210  THE   FETTERED   RACER. 

have  resigned  himself  to  intellectual  ease,  and 
plausibly  argued  that,  as  the  active  labors  of 
the  church  must  now  be  carried  on  by  others, 
he  was  called  to  rest  from  his  unparalleled 
exertions,  and  calmly  enjoy  the  quietude, 
though  not  the  freedom  of  his  hired  house 
at  Eome.  But  see  him  in  that  prison  lodg- 
ing, working  out  his  own  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling;  fighting  the  inward  fight; 
following  after ;  apprehending  that  for  which 
he  was  apprehended  of  Christ  Jesus.  See 
him  burning  with  anxiety  for  the  souls  of 
others,  reasoning  with  the  Jews,  preaching  the 
kingdom*  to  all  who  came,  praying  night  and 
day  for  his  converts,  weeping  over  the  enemies 
of  the  cross,  f  having  great  conflict  even  for 
those  he  had  never  seen,:]:  and  writing  those 
epistles  which  have  ever  proved  inexhaustible 
springs  of  consolation  to  the  church  of  Christ. § 
Perhaps  no  two  years  of  his  life  were  laden 

*  Acts,  xxviii.  31.  f  Pliil.  iii.  18.  X  ^^^-  "•  1- 

§  The   Epistles  to  the  Ephesians,  to  the   Colossians,  tc 
Philemon,  and  to  the  Philippians. 


THE    PRIZE   WON.  211 

with  richer  fruits  of  holiness  and  usefulness 
than  those  of  his  imprisonment  at  Kome.  It 
was  so  with  Luther  at  Wartburg.  Suffering 
saint,  it  may  be  so,  in  your  measure,  with  you 
in  your  retirement. 


EVENING. 

THE  PRIZE  WON. 

"  So  run  that  ye  may  o'btaia." — 1  Cor.  ix.  24 

The  example  of  the  apostle  Paul,  then, 
proves  that  the  charge  to  run  and  to  fight  be- 
longs not  only  to  those  who  are  on  the  open 
arena  and  battle-field  of  active  service,  but 
also  to  those  confined  in  the  prison-house  of 
persecution,  or  the  lonely  chamber  of  af- 
fliction. They  too  are  racers  in  the  heavenly 
course,  and  soldiers  in  the  good  fight  of  faith. 
Settle  it  then  in  your  mind,  that,  whatever 
your  position,  the  inspiriting  command  is  in- 
tended for  you,  "  So  run,  that  ye  may  obtain." 


212  THE   PRIZE  WON. 

But  you  say,  "I  am  not  a  Paul;  I  have 
neither  Hs  gifts,  his  apostleship,  nor  his  in- 
spiration." True ;  but  "  if  there  be  first  a 
willing  mind,  it  is  accepted  according  to  that 
a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he  hath 
not."*  Seek  to  attain  his  singleness  of  eye 
and  heart ;  and  though  you  have  but  few  tal- 
ents where  he  had  many,  }' ou  may  lay  them 
out  at  the  same  rate  of  interest^  and  receive  the 
same  welcome  commendation.  It  is  worthy 
of  all  note,  that  the  servant  who  had  doubled 
his  two  talents  Avas  greeted  with  precisely  the 
same  terms  of  approval,  as  he  who  had  doubled 
his  five.  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant ;  thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things, 
I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many  things  :  en- 
ter thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."f  We  are 
not  here  contending  against  degrees  in  glory, 
which  truth  seems  plainly  taught  by  another 
similar  parable,  that  of  the  pounds  ;  where  one 
servant  is  placed  over  ten  cities,  and  another 
over  five,  according  to  their  improvement  of 

*  2  Cor.  viii.  12.  f  Matt.  xxv.  23. 


THE   PRIZE   WON.  213 

respective  trusts.*  But  by  the  parable  of  the 
talents  we  are  plainV  tauglit,  that  they  who 
faithfully  "occupy"  with  few  gifts  as  with 
man}^,  shall  equally  "  have  praise  of  God,"f 
and  all  alike  shall  "enter  into  the  joy  of  their 
Lord."  What  more  could  the  most  ardent 
racer  obtain,  the  most  glowing  Christian  anti- 
cipate, than  his  Master's  approval  and  his 
Master's  joy  ?  Oh,  let  us  then  so  run,  not  as 
uncertainly,  but  "  with  patience,"  that  we  may 
obtain. 

*  See  Luke,  xix.  12-19.  f  1  Cor.  iv.  6. 


|0rts-S^b^ntIr   Panting. 

SIMPLICITY  OF  PRINCIPLE. 

"If  therefore  thine  eye  "be  single,  thy -whole  hody  shall 
be  full  of  light."— Matt.  vi.  22. 

"We  have  seen  tliat  it  is  not  tlie  ricliness  of 
gifts,  nor  the  variety  of  endowments,  which 
the  Lord  chiefly  regards,  but  the  fidelity  with 
which  the  talents  he  has  given  are  employed. 
How  unspeakably  important,  then,  to  seize  the 
right  guiding  principle,  and  to  work  it  out  in 
those  fields  which  produce  the  largest  return. 
"What,  then,  has  given  singleness  of  eye  to  St. 
Paul,  and  the  holiest  men  of  all  ages  ?  Simply 
this — they  lived  for  the  glory  of  Christ.  To 
them  "to  live  was  Christ;"  Christ  was  their 
life.  Take  Christ  away,  and  life  would  have 
had  no  meaning,  no  interest  for  them.  And 
how  did  they  work  out  this  principle  ?     They 


SIMPLICITY  OF  PEINCIPLE.  215 

clearly  perceived  tliat,  as  ransomed  sinners, 
they  could  most  advance  their  Saviour's  glory- 
by  the  highest  attainment  of  personal  holiness, 
and  by  the  widest  diffusion  of  his  gospel  in 
their  power.  To  these  two  objects,  accord- 
ingl}' — which  mutually  act  and  re-act  upon 
each  other — they  bent  all  the  strength  of  their 
understanding,  will,  and  affections ;  for  they 
saw  that  other  things,  as  business,  influence, 
intellectual  superiority,  except  for  their  bear- 
ing upon  the  cause  of  Christ,  would  never 
stand  the  shock  of  death ;  and,  therefore,  that 
their  Master's  glory  could  not  be  reflected  from 
these  things  through  the  endless  ages  of  eter- 
nity. Therefore,  one  evil  passion  overcome, 
one  holy  affection  implanted,  was  more  valued 
by  them  than  any  worldly  acquisition  ;  and 
they  rejoiced  more  to  bring  a  sinner  to  the 
ibot  of  the  cross,  than  to  receive  the  fame  and 
•riches  of  the  universe.  This  one  principle 
disentangled  a  thousand  perplexities  for  them, 
and  gave  that  beautiful  evenness  and  simpli- 
city to  their  life,  which  so  attracts  our  sym- 


216  MULTIPLICITY  OF  DETAILS. 

pathj.  Wlietlier  called  to  work  or  to  suffer, 
to  be  preachers  or  prisoners,  still  "  one  thing 
they  did ;"  for  the  shifting  circumstances  of 
life  Yv^ere  only  so  many  changing  scenes, 
whereon  to  develop  their  one  unchanging 
principle — "  to  live  for  Christ." 


EVENING. 
MULTIPLICITY  OF  DETAILS. 

"She  hath  done  what  she  could." — Mark,  xiv.  8. 

But  you  say,  "  Were  they  not  for  the  most 
part  employed  in  such  great  works,  as  the  con- 
version of  the  heathen,  or  the  ministry  of  the 
word?  The  very  grandeur  of  their  pursuits 
gave  a  dignity  to  their  life  ;  v/hile  my  mind  is 
distracted  by  the  innumerable  littlenesses  and 
fretting  interruptions  of  a  sick-chamber."  This 
objection  is,  I  am  persuaded,  more  apparent 
than  solid.  We  view  their  life  as  a  whole ; 
and,  therefore,  our  impressions  of  it  have  an 


MULTIPLICITY   OF   DETAILS.  217 

air  of  completeness ;  bul,  could  we  descend  to 
the  particularities  of  every  day,  could  we  stand 
by  St.  Paul  in  the  workshop  at  Corinth,  we 
should  discern  how  it  was  principle  carried  out 
into  the  smallest  matters  that  gave  unity  to 
their  course.  Kothing  is  trivial  with  God  that 
is  a  test  of  character.  The  plucking  of  an 
apple  brought  sin  and  death  into  the  world. 
A  cup  of  cold  water,  rightly  given,  shall  not 
lose  its  reward.  "  The  Lord  weigheth  the 
spirits,"*  day  by  day,  in  the  even  balances  of 
infinite  wisdom.  He  is  weighing  our  spirits 
to  see  what  judgment  we  shall  form,  or  how 
we  shall  speak,  or  act,  in  the  varying  circum- 
stances of  every  hour.  He  does  not  require 
the  administration  of  talents  which  he  has  not 
bestowed  ;  but  every  day  may  some  holy  dis- 
position be  fostered,  some  winged  prayer  be 
breathed,  some  gracious  word  be  dropped. 
And  none  of  these  things  elude  his  observa- 
tion, who  said  of  the  lowly  Mary,  "  She  hath 
done  what  she  could." 

*  Prov.  xvi.  2. 
19 


HANDIWORK. 

'Inasmuch,  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of 
these  my  "brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me." — 
Matt.  xxv.  4.0. 

There  is  no  more  effectual  way  of  relieving 

the  tedium  of  a  lengthened  illness,  and  some- 
times of  dissipating  tlie  gloom  and  despond- 
ency, than  some  little  work  of  practical  utility 
which  requires  only  so  much  of  exertion  or 
thought  as  is  within  the  sick  man's  limited 
powers.  The  inexperienced  may  easily  refuse 
such  apparently  slender  aid ;  but  the  keenest 
intellects  have  ever  been  the  first  to  allow  how 
dependent  the  mind  is  upon  physical  occupa- 
tions. Dr.  Chalmers  writes  in  his  Journal : 
"  It  is  not  my  duty  to  feel  cool  and  comfortable 
when  placed  in  a  confined  room  ;  but  it  Is  my 
duty  to  rise  and  open  the  window  if  this  cajj 


HANDIWOEK.  219 

restore  me  to  my  wonted  capacity  of  exertion. 
It  is,  perhaps,  not  my  duty  to  summon  up  a 
cliecrfulness  of  mind  in  the  hour  of  unaccount- 
able despondency ;  .  .  .  .  but  it  is  my  duty 
to  study,  and  if  possible  to  devise,  expedients 
for  restoring  me  from  this  ....  state."*  And 
he  goes- on  to  advise  some  slight  occupation 
as  the  unfailing  expedient,  such  as  "  writing  a 
fair  copy  of  any  old  production,  setting  your 
books  and  papers  in  order,  balancing  your  ac- 
counts, etc." 

May  not  the  long-afflicted  Christian  take  up 
this  suggestion,  and  employ  it  in  the  service  of 
cheerful  charity  ?  If  you  know  anything  of 
your  own  neighborhood,  there  are  probably 
many  cases  of  poverty  and  distress  close  at 
hand,  which  in  planning  to  relieve,  you  might 
employ  many  a  weary  hour.  Believe  me,  the 
basket  of  provision,  or  the  parcel  of  apparel 
you  have  provided  with  your  own  hands,  will 
cheer  another  sufferer  beside  the  poor  cottager 
to  whom  you  send  it.     And  if  you  know  not 

•*  Chalmers'  Life,  vol.  i.  p.  165. 


220  HANDIWORK. 

of  suitable  objects  near  jou,  so  many  blessed 
societies  now  penetrate  every  liannt  of  misery 
and  sin,  that  if  you  will  but  make  yourself 
acquainted  witli  tbeir  touching  reports,  and 
then  with  your  own  hands,  perhaps  by  the  pro- 
ceeds of  your  needle  or  your  pencil,  minister 
to  their  necessities,  you  will  shortly  find  that 
you  identify  yourself  with  their  work.  If  not 
yourself  the  good  Samaritan,  you  filled  his 
wine-flask,  and  replenished  his  cruse  of  oil. 
And  thus  days  that  would  have  wearily 
*'  dragged  through,"  if  the  mind  had  been 
preying  on  itself,  will,  almost  unawares,  glide 
by  in  such  ministries  of  love.  If  the  author 
of  this  little  book  only  persuaded  one  sufferer 
to  make  this  a  matter  of  persevering  toil,  he 
should  feel  it  a  cause  for  deep  thankfulness ; 
for  he  is  full}^  convinced  how  successful  is  the 
expedient,  and  how  grateful  the  effort  to  Him 
who  will  welcome  his  wondering  children  with 
the  words,  "  Ye  have  done  it  unto  me." 


TRADE  WITH   PENCE.  22<!. 

EVENING. 
TRADE   WITH   PENCE, 


••Whosoever  natli,  to  him  shall   be  given,  and   he  shall 
have  more  abundance." — Matt.  xiii.  12. 


It  is  with  charity  as  with  the  other  graces 
of  the  gospel :  Christianity  is  not  a  plain,  but 
a  mountain ;  not  a  passage,  but  a  staircase. 
Every  step  we  attain  in  faith  and  love  is  a 
starting  point  for  something  higher.  "  The 
way  of  life  is  above  to  the  wise."  And  so  Vy-e 
shall  find  that  if  we  faithfully  use  the  oppor- 
tunities of  usefulruess  which  the  Lord  affords, 
though  perhaps  they  may  seem  very  few  and 
scanty  now,  He  will  give  more.  This  is  his 
prerogative,  "  He  giveth  more  grace."*  There 
are  very  few  Christians,  however  deeply  tried, 
however  severe  their  sufferings,  who  might 
not  with  the  ingenuity  of  love  discover  some 
thing  they  might  do  themselves  for  Christ's 
cause  and  people,  some  crevice  into  which  the 

*  James,  iv.  6. 
19* 


222  TKADE   WITH   PENCE. 

wedge  of  cliaritj  miglit  be  inserted.  Trade 
with  these  pence,  and  pounds  shall  be  entrust- 
ed to  you:  for  "he  that  is  faithful  in  that 
which  is  least  is  faithful  also  in  much." 


IflrtiT-pintIr  glorning. 

WORK  REWARDED. 

**  He  shall  reward  every  mail  according  to  his  works." — 

IvTatt.  xvi.  27. 

The  gracious  ^'promise"*  of  the  reward 
according  to  works,  when  apprehended  bj  a 
lively  faith,  which  builds  entirely  on  the 
finished  work  of  Jesus  for  pardon  and  ac- 
ceptance, is  one  of  peculiar  comfort  to  the 
much-laboring,  or  the  much-sufiering  be- 
liever. As  a  faithful  living  witness  writes: 
"  It  sustains  under  all  suffering,  by  the  con- 
viction, that  its  full  fruit  will  be  yielded,  and 
its  full  results  reaped  hereafter.  Many  seem 
to  suffer  as  if  they  should  be  none  the  gainers, 
and  as  if  the  results  will  be  just  the  same  as  in 
the  case  of  their  friends  and  neighbors,  who 
have  been  exposed  to  no  such  trials.     Hence 

*  See  Psa.  bdi.  12 


224  WOKK  REWARDED. 

they  often  seem  to  feel  a  sort  of  Christian 
fatalism^  if  we  may  be  allowed  the  expression : 
'  I  have  no  donbt  it  will  be  for  my  good ;  I 
am  sure  I- need  it;'  and  so  on,  without  any 
intelligent  idea  in  what  they  are  to  be  the  bet- 
ter, when  there  can  be  no  question  that,  in  an 
ordinary  way,  they  are  gaining  much  by  such 
trials,  and  that  they  will  reap  much  hereafter 
which  they  never  would  have  reaped  without 
them.  Active  labor  and  patient  suffering  are 
thus  each  working  out  their  blessed  fruits  in 
their  own  way."* 

Tfierefore  in  entreating  any  sufferers,  both 
for  their  own  sake  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  to 
labor  as  far  as  their  physical  powers  permit, 
I  would  beg  them  to  remember  again,  "  They 
also  serve  who  only  stand  and  Avait ;"  that  suf- 
fering is  accounted  work  for  Christ,  because  it 
fulfils  his  will ;  that  it  is  a  proof  of  our  son- 
ship  ;f  a  pledge  of  our  discipleship ;":{:  an 
earnest  of  our  crown  and  kingdom  ;§  and  that, 

*  "  Good  Thiugs  to  come,"  p.  360  :  Sermon,  by  Rev,  C.  J. 
Goodheart,  of  Reading. 

f  Heb.  xu.  8.  X  1  Pet.  ii.  21.  §  2  Tim.  ii.  12. 


UNEQUAL  COMPARISONS.  225 

in  the  emphatic  language  of  St.  Paul,  "  our 
light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
worketli  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  an 
eternal  weight  of  glorj."* 


EVENING. 
UNEQUAL  COMPAKISONS. 

"  For  I  reckon  that  the  sufi'erings  of  this  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  "be  cooapared  with  the  glory  which 
shall  be  revealed  in  us." — Rom.  viii.  18. 

How  blissful  an  employment  wdll  it  be  here- 
after, in  the  mansions  of  the  kingdom,  to  place 
the  past  sufferings  and  the  present  glory  side 
by  side,  when  at  every  stage  of  the  comparison 
we  are  constrained  to  break  out  into  astonish 
ment  and  delight,  "  Who  would  have  imagineo 
such  an  issue?  how  little  now  do  my  trials  ap- 
pear !  who  would  not  have  passed  through  fifty 
limes  as  much  of  sorrow  to  reach  this  blessed 
land?     Ah,  that  illness  :  that  disappointment ; 

*  2  Cor.  iv.  17. 


226  UNEQUAL  COMPAEISONS. 

that  loss :  I  see  now  wherefore  it  was  sent :  all 
was  mercj.  How  could  I  ever  be  so  impatient 
and  disquieted!  how  little  I  knew  its  fruit! 
Hallelujah!  for  the  sorrows,  as  for  the  joys 
of  my  pilgrimage,  again  I  say.  Hallelujah !" 
Again,  how  shall  we  contrast  every  earthly 
grief  with  its  heavenly  counterpart  of  glory  ? 
once  pilgrims,  now  possessors ;  once  warriors, 
now  victors ;  once  wrestling,  now  resting ;  once 
sighing,  now  singing ;  even  as  the  prophet  so 
exquisitely  foretells  that  appointed  portion 
which  the  Saviour  should  confer  on  those  who 
mourn  in  Zion,  even  "beauty  for  ashes,  the 
oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  garment  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness."  * 

*  Isa,  Ixi.  3. 


liftietlj  l);0nting. 

IF  NEED  BE. 

■■If  need  be. "—1  Pet   i.  6. 

Wherein  did  tlie  absolute  necessity  lie  for 
these  "manifold  temptations?"  Had  not  tlie 
apostle  just  spoken  of  those  to  whom  he  wrote 
as  "elect  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of 
God  the  Father,  through  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit,  unto  obedience  and  sprinkling  of  the 
blood  of  Jesus  f  as  born  "  to  an  inheritance 
incorruptible,  and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth 
not  away  ;"t  as  "  kept  by  the  power  of  God 
through  faith  unto  salvation  ?":]:  Surely  if  any 
behevers  might  have  an  unwavering  assurance 
of  their  own  final  salvation,  they  might  whom 
an  inspired  apostle  addressed  in  such  words 
as  these.     Yea,  doubtless  they  were  perfectly 

*  1  Pet.  i.  2.  f  1  Pet.  i.  4.  t  1  Pet.  i,  5. 


228  IF  NEED   BE. 

safe ;  they  were  the  slieep  of  Christ  who  should 
never  perish  ;*  their  names  were  in  the  book 
of  life.  How  then  does  he  say  of  them, 
*'  though  now  for  a  season,  if  need  be,  ye  are 
in  heaviness  through  manifold  trials?"  We 
may  learn  from  this,  that  simple  salvation — 
that  is,  escape  from  wrath  and  admission  into 
heaven — is  by  no  means  the  whole  of  God's 
counsel  of  love  towards  each  redeemed  soul. 
There  was  a  "  need  be  "  for  these  many  and 
fiery  trials,  ay,  for  their  feeling  the  accumu- 
lated weight  of  them,  and  being  in  heaviness 
on  account  of  them.  What  was  this  need  be  ? 
Probably  much  of  the  infinite  wisdom  which 
saw  trial  indispensable,  though  we  know  not 
now,  we  shall  know  hereafter ;  part  may  never 
be  revealed,  but  thus  much  we  are  told  even 
now,  it  was  "that  the  trial  of  their  faith, 
though  tried  with  fire,  might  be  found  unto 
praise  and  honour  and  glory  at  the  appearing 
of  Jesus  Christ."  f  Unto  their  praise,  or 
Christ's  ?       First    unto    Christ's    praise    and 

*  John,  X.  28.  f   1  Pet.  i.  7. 


TRUSTFULNESS.  229 

glory,  and  from  liim  reflected  in  them,  when 
"  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  Ms  saints.^'i 
Suffering  believer,  though  "  elect,  begotten 
again,  kept  unto  salvation,"  what  stronger 
assurance  can  you  ask  of  the  "  need  be "  of 
the  trial  that  is  weighing  you  down,  than  this 
—  it  shall  result  in  the  increase  of  your 
Saviour's  glory,  and  of  yours  in  him? 


EVENING. 
TRUSTFULNESS. 


"  O  my  Father,  if  it  "be  possible,  let   this  cup  pass   from 
me." — Matt.  xXvi.  39. 

Perhaps  some  afflicted  saint  has  been  cast 
down  at  the  issue  of  earnest  and  united  prayer 
on  his  behalf.  He  reads  the  free,  uncondi- 
tional promises  made  to  believing  prayer  ;  "  K 
ye  shall  ask  anything  in  my  name,  I  will  do 
it."f     He  calculates  on  the  security  of  his  Sa- 

*  2  Thess.  i.  10.  +  John,  xiv.  14. 

20 


230  TRUSTFULNESS. 

viour's  pledged  word,  "  If  two  of  you  shall 
agree  on  earth  as  toucliing  anything  that  they 
shall  ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  nay  Fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven.""  He  betakes  him- 
self to  earnest  prayer;  he  engages  the  petitions 
of  the  faithful  on  his  behalf;  he  looks  for  an 
answer  of  peace,  perhaps  recovery  from  some 
painful  illness,  the  dispersion  of  some  spiritual 
cloud,  the  restoration  of  some  beloved  friend. 
I  grant  you  that  in  very  many  cases  the  pray- 
ers are  granted  according  to  ''  his  heart's  de- 
sire" and  "the  request  of  the  lips,"f  and  that 
they  would  be  so  granted  much  oftener  if  we 
received  the  promises  in  their  plain,  literal 
simplicity  and  freeness.  But  yet,  sometimes, 
in  spite  of  faith  and  prayer,  the  suffering  con- 
tinues, the  darkness  still  is  felt,  the  beloved 
one  dies. 

Shall  we  for  a  moment  entertain  the  whis- 
pered suggestion  of  unbelief?     Where  is  the 
use  of  all  your  painstaking,  and  all  3^ our  peti- 
tions?    I^ay;    God  forbid.     "We  are   content 
*  Matt,  xviii.  19.  f  Psa,  xxi  •> 


TRUSTFULNESS.  231 

to  bide  the  verdict  of  eternity.  But  this  prayer 
of  our  Kedeemer,  in  his  hour  of  overwhelming 
agony,  gives  us,  even  now,  a  ghmpsc  into  "  the 
deep  things  of  God."*  If  it  had  been  possible  in 
the  counsels  of  the  Infinite  Power,  and  Love,  and 
Wisdom,  the  cup  would  have  passed  from  Jesus' 
lips ;  but  it  was  not  possible,  and  the  prayer  of 
the  Son  of  God  himself  is  only  answered  accord- 
ing to  its  closing  words  of  Divine  resignation, 
"  Nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt." 
Suffering  believer  !  if  it  be  jDossible,  if  con- 
sistent with  the  highest  glory  of  God  and  good 
of  men,  thy  suit  shall  be  answered  in  the  very 
form  thou  art  urging  it ;  but,  if  not,  oh  think 
not  it  is  unheard  and  unanswered.  It  will 
bring  down  a  yet  richer  blessing.  The  cup  of 
wrath  passed  not  from  Jesus,  but  the  draining 
of  that  cup  presented  the  cup  of  salvation  to 
the  lips  of  dying  sinners.  Thy  request  may 
be  apparently  refused;  but  the  faith  which 
offered  it  is  appreciated  above,  and  is  obtaining 
for  thee  "  an  over-payment  of  delight." 

*  1  Cor.  ii.  10. 


THE  •'  BUT  NOTS  "  OF  SCEIPTXJEE. 

•*  Troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  distressed  ;  perplex- 
ed, but  not  in  despair  ;  persecuted,  but  not  for 
saken;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed." — 2  Cor. 
iv.  8,  9. 

Fainting  Christian,  observe tTie  "but  nots" 
of  this  passage.  The  tribulation  was  very  se- 
vere, but  there  was  a  certain  point  which  it  did 
not  exceed ;  the  tide  of  trouble  was  very  high, 
but  there  was  a  limit,  at  which  it  was  said, 
"  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further ; 
and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed ;  "* 
and  this  pointy  this  limit,  was  not  beyond,  but 
within  the  grace  and  strength  imparted.  Has 
it  not  been  so  with  the  saints  of  every  age  ? 
Look  at  Joseph  in  prison,  Israel  in  Egypt, 
David  in  the  cave,  Daniel  in  the  den,  the  three 

*  Job,  xxxviii.  11. 


THE   "BUT  NOTS**  OF  SCRIPTURE.        233 

children  in  the  furnace — all  were  troubled, 
perplexed,  persecuted,  cast  down  ;  and  yet,  in 
each  case,  there  was  a  "but  not,"  and  a  limit; 
and  we,  who  can  survey  the  whole  chart  of 
their  lives,  see  how  this  boundary  line  was  so 
placed  by  Infinite  Wisdom,  that  they  were 
never  quite  overborne,  and  that  from  the  very 
extremity  of  their  trial  sprang  their  brightest 
deliverances,  and  most  lasting  blessings.  Nay, 
more ;  has  it  not  been  so  with  yourself,  fellow- 
pilgrim,  in  days  past?  Look  backward  ;  you 
will  see  many  troubles,  perplexities,  persecu- 
tions, falls ;  but  what  I  ask  is  this.  Has  any 
previous  trial  been  too  great?  The  waters 
have  been  very  deep,  but  have  you  ever  sunk 
under  them  ?  Has  there  not  always  been  a 
gracious  "but  not"?  Oh,  say  not,  after  so 
many  deliverances,  with  David  in  his  despon- 
dency, "  I  shall  now  perish  one  day  by  the 
hand  of  Saul  ;"*  but  imbibe  his  cheerful  confi- 
dence Avhen  he  pleads — "  Thou  hast  delivered 
mj  soul  from  death  :  wilt  not  thou  deliver  my 

*  1  Sam.  xxvii.  1, 
20* 


234       PAST,  PRESENT,  FUTURE. 

feet  from  falling,  that  I  may  walk  before  God 
in  the  light  of  the  living  ?"* 


EVENING. 

PAST,   PRESENT,   FUTURE. 

"And  the  Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work, 
and  will  preserve  me  unto  his  heavemy  kingdom." — 
2  Ttm.  iv.  18. 

Yes,  these  "  but  nets"  shall  continue  all  the 
way  through.  Trials  will  beset  your  road, 
but  not  insurmountable  trials  ;  a  passage  shall 
be  made  through,  or  over  them.  Temptations 
shall  befall  you,  but  not  unbearable  tempta- 
tions ;  for  "  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not  suffer 
you  to  be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able ; 
but  will  with  the  temptation  also  make  a  way 
of  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it."f 
The  waters  of  death  may  flow  deep  and 
rough,  but  "not  overflow  thee;":j:  for  "  the 
Lord .  shall  deliver  thee  from  every  evil,  and 

*  Psa.  Ivi.  13.  1 1  Cor.  x.  13.  X  Isa.  xliii.  2. 


PAST,    PRESENT,    FUTURE.  235 

preserve  tliee  unto  liis  lieavenly  kingdom."  So 
writes  Paul  the  aged,  when  the  time  of  his  de- 
parture was  at  hand.  Some  years  before  he 
had  expressed  the  same  confidence  in  that  God, 
"  who  deUvered,  doth  deliver,  and  will  yet  de- 
liver ;"*  he  was  not  disappointed  of  his  hope ; 
in  nothing  had  he  been  ashamed ;  every  year 
but  strengthened  his  confidence ;  and  now, 
after  another  signal  deliverance  "  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  lion,"f  without  a  shadow  of 
distrust,  he  looks  forward,  even  to  the  end, 
and  cheerfully  asserts  no  evil  would  be  per- 
mitted to  bar  his  entrance  into  the  heavenly 
kingdom.  Past,  present,  future,  were  alike 
radiant  with  mercy ;  for  he  realized  his  own 
glowing  assurance,  "All things  are  yours;  the 
world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or 
things  to  come ;  all  are  yours ;  and  ye  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's.":j: 

*  2  Cor.  i.  10.         t  2  Tim.  iv.  17.         t  1  Cor.  iii.  21-28. 


THE  VICTORY  OF  FAITH. 

"  Tliou  shalt  deal  tountifully  "with  me  " — Psa.  cxlii.  7, 

These  words  honored  God.  David  was  in 
the  cave,  praying  and  pouring  out  complaints. 
His  "  spirit  was  overwhelmed  ;"*  "  refuge 
failed"  him  ;f  he  was  "brought  very  low;" 
the  cry  was  wrung  from  him — "  Deliver  me 
from  my  persecutors ;  for  they  are  stronger 
than  I.":]:  And  even  "  whiles  he  was  speaking 
in  prayer, "§  the  Spirit  descends;  he  is  strength- 
ened with  might  in  the  inner  man  ;  and  from 
the  dark  cavern  of  AduUam  rises  the  shout  of 
victory,  "  Thou  shalt  deal  bountifully  with 
me."  Oh,  what  honor  this  put  upon  God's 
faithfulness !     When  a  child  is  seated  on  its 

*  Psa.  cxlii.  3.  f  Psa.  cxlii.  4. 

X  Pea.  cxlii.  6.  §  Dan.  ix.  21. 


THE   VICTORY   OF   FAITH.  237 

father's  knee,  and  says,  "I  am  afraid  of 
nothing,"  the  parent  delights  in  its  happiness 
and  love ;  but  when  the  father  leaves  his  child 
alone,  and  says,  "Fear  nothing,  for  I  shall 
come  for  you ;"  and  the  minutes  pass  by,  and 
the  time  seems  long,  and  the  little  one's  heart 
is  full,  and  yet  he  says,  "  I  will  not  fear,  for 
father  said  he  would  come  ;"■ — would  not  these 
words  overheard  send  a  keener  thrill  of  pleas- 
ure through  that  parent's  breast  ?  What  gave 
the  psalmist  this  blessed  confidence?  He 
knew  the  bountiful  heart  of  the  God  he 
served,' — that  he  had  all  power,  riches,  wis- 
dom, and  willingness.  He  knew  his  own 
pitiful  condition,  that  it  would  appeal  to  the 
tender  compassion  of  the  Lord.  He  remem- 
bered, doubtless,  former  deliverances, — the 
lion  and  the  bear ;  the  sword  of  Goliath,  and 
the  javelin  of  Saul,  till  his  complaining  was 
lost  in  praise :  "  Thou  shalt  deal  bountifully 
with  me."  Did  David  miscalculate  ?  Let  his 
throne  and  Idngdom  reply. 

O  believer,  will  you  not  honor  God  by  a 


THE  VICTORY  OF  FACT.  238 

like  affiance  ?  Have  not  jon  the  same  Father  ? 
are  not  jou  in  touching  sorrow  ?  have  not  jou 
been  holpen  in  days  past  ?  No  voice,  though 
it  be  broken  with  weeping,  will  sound  sweeter 
in  the  ears  of  the  Lord  than  this — "  Thou  shalt 
deal  bountifully  with  me." 


EVENING. 
T^E  VICTORY  OF  FACT. 

"Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul;  for  the  Lord  hath 
dealt  hountifuUy  "with  thee," — Psa.   cxvi.  7. 

"We  have  seen  the  victory  of  faith;  now 
anticipate  the  victory  of  fact.  Transport  your- 
self a  little  forward.  Perhaps  in  a  few  days  or 
weeks  the  immediate  trial  that  presses  upon 
you  may  have  passed  over  ;  and,  looking  back 
upon  the  retiring  cloud,  you  may  be  able  to 
say,  "  Thou  hast  dehvered  my  soul  from  death, 
mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling." 
But  take  it  at  its  worst, — say  that  your  gTief  is 
a  life-long  trial ;  that  you  must  be  a  sufFerei 


THE   VICTORY   OF   FACT.  239 

all  your  days ;  that  your  losses  are  those  time 
cannot  restore, — still,  only  transport  yourself 
a  little  further.  *'  The  night  is  far  spent,  the 
day  is  at  hand  ;"*  joyful  tidings  to  one  who, 
on  the  bed  of  tossing  and  of  weariness,  watches 
"  for  the  morning  !"f  they  are  meant  for  you. 
*'  There  remaineth  a  rest  to  the  people  of 
God  ;":j:  and  all  along  the  blissful  ages  of  that 
eternal  Sabbath — in  the  calm  possession  of 
unutterable  joy,  in  the  present  enjoyment  of 
that  everlasting  "  massive  "  glory,  in  the  per- 
fect fruition  of  overflowing  love,  in  the  society 
of  heaven,  and  in  the  presence  of  God,  your 
voice  shall  be  heard  amid  the  hymns  of  heaven : 
*'I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord,  because  he  hath 
dealt  bountifully  with  me."§ 

*  Rom.  xiii.  12.  f  Psa.  cxxx.  6. 

X  Heb.  iv.  9.  §  Psa.  iii.  6. 


I. 

''€a\\fi)itx  fim/'  tit. 

Hebrews,  xii.  3. 

And  art  tlioii  faint  witli  weariness. 


Witli  suffering,  want,  or  woe  ? 
Faint  througli  affliction's  sliarp  distress, 
Or  strugglings  with  tlie  foe  ? 

Have  fiery  darts  on  thee  been  hurl'd  ? 

Is  all  thy  cross  within  ? 
Or  art  thou  groaning  for  a  world 

Of  sinners  and  of  sin  ? 

Have  clouds  conceal'd  thy  Saviour's  face  ? 

Has  darkness  wrapt  thy  path  ? 
"Why  art  thou  weeping,  child  of  grace  ? 

"Why  trembhng,  child  of  faith  ? 

Oh  pilgrim,  raise  thy  drooping  eye 
From  off  that  stormy  sea  ; 


''JESUS   CHRIST   THE   SAME."  241 

Consider  Him,  who  came  to  die, 
And  bear  his  cross  for  thee. 

Bitter  the  wormwood  and  the  gall. 
And  sharp  the  spear  and  crown, 

And  worse,  a  million-fold,  than  all, 
His  Father's  right^jous  frown. 

Muse  on  hiai,  suffering  saint,  until 

The  sight  enable  thee 
To  do  or  suffer  all  his  will, 

Whate'er  that  will  may  be. . 


II. 

**|uus  Christ  \ht  nrnt." 

Hebrews,  xiii.  8. 

"We  here  have  no  abiding  home, 

We  claim  no  fatherland  ;  but,  driven 

By  life's  rough  changes,  onward  roam, 
Earth's  pilgrims,  denizens  of  heaven. 
21 


242  "aeise  ye." 

Yes,  all  tMngs  change  around  ns  ;  years 
Fleet  on,  and  comrades  pass  away  ; 

The  shadows  of  this  vale  of  tears 
Speed  past  ns,  nor  will  brook  delay. 

How  blessed  on  this  changing  sea, 

Whose  sleepless  waters  sink  and  swell, 

To  know  one  rock  of  tivith  to  be 
Unchanging  and  unchangeoble. 

Jesns,  onr  God  and  Saviour  thou ! 

The  same  from  endless  ages  past, 
The  same  in  grace  and  glory  now, 

And  while  eternity  shall  last. 


III. 

MicAH,  ii.   10. 

"  Aeise  ye,  and  depart, 

For  this  is  not  your  home." 
Dear  place  then,  lovely  as  thou  art, 
Farewell,  for  we  must  roam. 


24S 


Yet  seemcd'st  tlioa  fresli  and  fair, 

A  home  of  light  and  love, 
Brightened  with  blessings  everywhere, 

About  us  and  above. 

Oh,  linger  not,  nor  look 

So  sad,  so  half-resigned  : 
For  sin,  upon  earth's  fairest  nook, 

Hath  left  its  trail  behind. 

Death  snatches  bj  surprise 
Your  loved  ones  hence  away. 

The  circle  gathers  in  the  skies. 
And  will  ye,  can  ye  stay  ? 

"  Arise  ye,  and  depart " 

To  your  eternal  home ; 
"  Arise,"  and  cheer  your  drooping  heart 

With  better  things  to  come. 


244 


IV. 

*'®|[0tt   art  ms  xfntlJ' 

PsALUs,  Ixxi.  3. 

O  Jesus,  Saviour  of  the  lost, 
Mj  Eock  and  Hiding-place  ; 

By  storms  of  sin  and  sorrow  tost, 
I  seek  tlij  sheltering  grace. 

Guilty,  forgive  me,  Lord,  I  cry ; 

Pursued  by  foes  I  come  ; 
A  sinner,  save  me,  or  I  die  ; 

An  outcast,  take  me  home. 

Once  safe  in  thine  Almighty  arms. 
Let  storms  come  on  amain ; 

There  danger  never,  never  harms, — • 
There  death  itself  is  gain. 

And  when  I  stand  before  thy  throne, 

And  all  thy  glory  see  ; 
Still  be  my  righteousness  alone 

To  hide  myself  in  thee. 


ON   THE   DEATH   OF   R.    B.  246 

V. 

A  Village-school  Girl,  -who  fell  sweetly  asleep  ia  Jeaus, 
May,  1851. 

My  eyes  are  very  dim  mother, 

I  cannot  see  you  riglit ; 
Sit  near  and  read  my  favorite  liymn, 

For  I  shall  die  to-night. 

"  Jesus  who  lived," — yes,  that  mother, 
I  learned  it  on  your  knee  ; 
Well  I  remember  where  you  sat, 
When  first  you  taught  it  me. 

Oh  yes,  read  on  and  on,  mother, 

The  words  that  Jesus  said  ; 
And  think,  long  after  I  am  gone, 

He  bore  our  sins  instead. 

Is  the  rush  candle  out,  mother  ? 
For  all  is  midnight  dark ; 
21* 


246        "ABIDE   IN   ME,   AND   I  IN  YOtJ." 

Oh,  take  mj  hand — I  will  not  doubt : 
See^  mother — ^mother^  hark  ! 

Oh,  bright  and  blessed  things,  mother, 

My  soTil  it  is  that  sees  ; 
Yet  feel  you  not  the  rush  of  wings 

Makes  musical  the  breeze  ? 

Kind  faces  throng  the  room,  mother, 

And  gentle  loving  eyes  : 
Dost  thou  not  hear,  "  Come,  sister,  come," 

My  welcome  to  the  skies  ? 

Is  this  the  happy  land,  mother  ? 

My  heart  is  almost  still. — 
The  childless  mother  felt  her  hand 

All  in  a  moment  chill. 


VI. 

John,  xv.  4. 

'  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you :" 
Ah,  blessed,  sweet  commands ; 


THE  TKANSFIGURATION.  247 

Soft  as  the  fall  of  early  dew 
On  parched,  thirsty  lands. 

Abide  in  thee,  my  Lord,  my  God, 

Omnipotent  to  save 
From  all  the  dangers  of  my  road, 

From  Satan  and  the  grave. 

In  thee  whose  wisdom  none  can  tell, 
Whose  grace  no  limit  knows ; 

Whose  love  Divine,  unsearchable, 
A  boundless  ocean  flows. 

Then  welcome  joy,  and  farewell  fear, 
And  calm,  ye  wild  waves,  be ; 

If  only,  Lord,  thy  voice  I  hear, 
"  My  child,  abide  in  me." 


VII. 

%\)t   ®  r  a  K  s  fi  p  t  a  t  i  0  n 

Mark,  ix.  £-8. 

How  blessed  on  this  holy  hill 
It  were  our  tents  to  rear  j 


248  THE  TRANSFIGURATION. 

To  see  thj  glorj,  and  be  still : 
"  'Tis  good,  Lord,  to  be  here." 

Why  should  we  seek  the  world  again, 

Its  scenes  of  toil  and  fear ; 
The  rough  and  rngged  throngs  of  men  ?— 

"  'Tis  good,  Lord,  to  be  here." 

The  sights  and  sounds  of  sin  below 
Move  many  a  sigh  and  tear  ; 

Why  from  this  tranquil  mountain  go  ? — 
"  'Tis  good,  Lord,  to  be  here." 

Thus  often,  in  some  favored  hour. 

We  shun  the  conflict  drear. 
And  say,  while  storms  beneath  us  lower, 

"  'Tis  good,  Lord,  to  be  here." 

Wait,  O  my  soul,  a  little  while ; 

Soon,  in  a  happier  sphere. 
Thou  shalt  confess  beneath  his  smile, 

"  'Tis  good.  Lord,  to  be  here." 


THE   FEAR   OF   DEATH   REMOVED.         249 
VIII. 

PSALUS,   XXlll.    4. 

Thou  speakest  of  the  fear  of  death,  its  ghast- 
liness  and  gloom, 

And  dreary  shadows  flung  across  the  portals 
of  the  tomb ; 

Thou  sayest  that  the  best  of  men  must  trem- 
ble like  the  grass, 

When  from  the  loved  and  lovely  earth  to  un- 
known worlds  they  pass : 

Thou  picturest  the  love  of  home,  the  light  of 
childhood's  sky. 

And  askest,  who  could  leave  such  things  with 
no  heart-breaking  sigh  ? 

My  heart  was  pained  ;  and  oft  I  thought,  Can 

this  be  true  of  those. 
Who  have  on  Jesus  cast  the  guilt  and  burden 

of  their  woes  ? — 


250   THE  FEAR  OF  DEATH  REMOVED. 

'Till,  as  I  niTised,  the  trutlis  of  God,  like  bea- 
con-fires at  night, 

Gleamed  forth  from  Scripture's  vivid  page 
upon  my  aching  sight : — 

"  I  know  that  my  Eedeemer  lives  ;  and,  though 
my  flesh  must  die, 

By  dying,  he  shall  swallow  up  the  grave  in 
victory. 

Ay,  in  the  shadowy  vale  of  death  no  evil  will 
I  fear, 

For  thou  art  with  me,  thou,  my  God,  to  ani- 
mate and  cheer." 

So  sang  the  patriarchs  of  old,  Before  the  veil 

was  riven, 
"Which  from  the  pilgrim  fathers  hid  the  open 

gate  of-  heaven : 
But  hark,  what  clearer  tidings  now  our  songs 

of  triumph  swell ! 
"  Christ  Jesus  hath  abolished  death,  and  holds 

the  keys  of  hell ; 
fle  lives,  and  whoso  trusts  in  him  shall  never, 

never  die ; 


THE  FEAR  OF  DEATH  REMOVED.    251 

He  lives, — this  mortal  sLall  be  clotlied  with 
immortality. 

The  portals  of  the  tomb  are  burst;  ye  ran- 
somed captives,  sing,  m 

Where's  thy  victor}^,  O  Grave  ?  where,  dark- 
some Death,  thy  sting?" 

No    wild   dreams  these, — I   speak   of  things 

that  oftentimes  have  been ; 
Of  parting  words  that  I  have  heard,  and  death- 
beds I  have  seen ; 
Of  a  long-loved  father,  circled  by  his  children 

and  his  wife, 
With  everyjoy  to  gladden  earth,  and  bind  him 

Tinto  life, 
Who  calmly  said,  "My  children  must  not  stay 

me  from  my  rest; 
My  work  is  finished,  and  I  long  to  sleep  on 

Jesus'  breast ; 
Death   cannot  part  me  from  his  love — Lord 

Jesus,  it  is  thou — 
I  have  no  fear,  my  children ;  for  my  Lord  is 

with  me  now." 


252    THE  FEAR  OF  DEATH  REMOVED. 

And  gentle  girls,  too,  have  I  seen,  who  seemed 

for  earth  too  frail, 
Tread  with  a  firm,  confiding  step,  adown  that 

lonesome  vale ; 
Aj,  and  on  childhood's  pallid  lip  have  words 

of  triumph  played, 
And  tiny  fingers,  clasped  in  death,  told,  ''  I  am 

not  afraid." 
But  why  speak  on  of  scenes  like  these,  when 

every  heart  must  know 
Some    parent,    partner,    brother,    child,   who 

trembled  not  to  go 
Where  Jesus'  steps  had  gone  before,  and  he 

himself  is  nigh, 
Whispering    above  those  boisterous    waves, 

"  Fear  nothing,  it  is  I !" 

Ours  is  the  grief,  who  still  are  left  in  this  far 

wilderness,' 
Which  will  at  times,  now  they  are  gone,  seem 

blank  and  comfortless. 
For  moments  spent   with  loving  hearts  are 

breezes  from  the  hills, 


THE  FEAR  OF  DEATH  REMOVED.    253 

And  tlie   balm  of  Christian  brotlicrliood  like 

Eden's  dew  distils ; 
And  we  whose  footsteps  and  whose  hearts  so 

often  fail  and  flxint, 
Seem  ill  to  spare  the  cheering  voice  of  one  de- 
parted saint. 
But   oh,  we  sorrow  not  like  those  whom  no 

bright  hopes  sustain, 
For  them  who  sleep  in  Jesus,  God  will  with 

him  bring  again. 
Love  craves  the  presence  and  the  sight  of  all 

its  well-beloved, 
And  therefore  weep  we  in  the  homes  whence 

they  are  far  removed ; 
Love   craves  the  presence   and  the   sight  of 

each  beloved  one, 
And  therefore   Jesus  spake  the  word  which 

caught  them  to  his  throne  :— 
"  Father,  I  will  that  all  my  own,  which  thou 

hast  granted  me, 
Be  with  me  where  I  am  to  share  my  glory's 

bhss  with  thee." 

22 


254   THE  FEAR  OF  DEATH  EEMOVED. 

Thus  heaven  is  gatliering,  one  bj  one,  in  its 
capacious  breast, 

All  tliat  is  pure  and  permanent,  and  beautiful 
and  blest ; 

The  family  is  scatter'd  yet,  though  of  one 
home  and  heart, 

Part  militant  in  earthly  gloom,  in  heavenly 
glory  part. 

But  who  can  speak  the  rapture,  Avhen  the  cir- 
cle is  complete, 

And  all  the  children  sundered  now  before 
their  Father  meet  ? 

One  fold,  one  Shepherd,  one  employ,  one  ever- 
lasting home : 

"  Lo  !  I  come  quickly."  "  Even  so,  Amen  I 
Lord  Jesus,  come !" 


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